USMNT Injury Woes, Minnesota Stun Sounders, LiVARpool vs PGMOL | Unfiltered Soccer

Summary

Episode Summary: Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard

Episode Title: USMNT Injury Woes, Minnesota Stun Sounders, LiVARpool vs PGMOL
Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Landon Donovan & Tim Howard

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Overview

This episode is packed with passionate debate and insight as Landon Donovan and Tim Howard tackle the ongoing injury crisis for the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), the drama-laden MLS playoffs, and controversial moments from the Premier League — particularly the latest in the never-ending club vs. country feud and “LiVARpool” decisions.

The hosts vent their frustrations over the US player availability issues ahead of a pivotal international window, analyze the realities of managing elite talent under pressure from both clubs and federation, and serve up their trademark unfiltered takes on pivotal games and big stories from across the soccer landscape.

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USMNT Injury Woes and Absences

Timestamps: 02:12–18:49

Key Points:

• Extensive List of Absentees:
  Christian Pulisic (just returned, only 20 minutes played), Malik Tillman, Alex Zendejas, Johnny Cardoso, Timothy Weah, Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, Weston McKennie, and Matt Turner (rested/out of roster).
• Disruption to Team Chemistry:
  Tim Howard: "With this crop of players, we never get our best team together. Right. We don’t. And when we have the opportunities, we miss them." (04:02)
• Patterns in USMNT Camps:
  The cycle continues—players return to their clubs after injury, but don’t appear for national team duty. Tim expresses concern for the lack of continuity:
  "U.S. soccer players are consistently not coming into camp. … That’s a fact." (07:46)

Return-to-Play Culture

• Tim: "You get injured, you go through a plan… but when you are back up to speed and I can compete and I can play in a Premier League game, yeah, I am fit. … Now, I might still be injured and I might still hurt, but I’m fit." (05:00)
• Landon underscores the value of having big-name players in camp— even if they’re not fully match-ready— for the sake of team camaraderie and tactical work.

The Commitment Problem

• Tim: "The US manager needs to mandate: if you can't commit to me … I've got no use for you. You might be the best player on the team, but I got no use for you." (08:39)

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Spotlight: The Weston McKennie Situation

Timestamps: 09:41–15:07

• Baffling Club vs. Country Dynamics:
  Weston misses yet another camp, reportedly at Pochettino’s request, due to a recent managerial change at his club. If he misses this camp, “he’s only been in camp with the national team one time in a calendar year." (11:05)
• Expert Insight:
  Tim argues a new manager at club level doesn't change the fundamental importance of national team commitment, especially for your best players:
  "Your reputation precedes you. … There’s no question marks about your top five players getting called into camp. So why is there a question mark with Weston?" (14:33)
• Landon adds that McKennie, in this instance, did want to come and was surprised at the club's decision.

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Roster Opportunities: Bubble Players & Young Talent

Timestamps: 16:37–18:49

Up for Grabs:

• Joe Scally’s versatility (can cover left-back with Antonee Robinson struggling).
• Austin Trusty — impressive performances could earn him a role in a three-CB system.
• Gio Reyna — "We don’t produce players like this. … For his sake, I hope he just goes in humble, does all the right things, works hard." (18:49)

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Clubs vs. Country: The Chris Richards Dispute

Timestamps: 18:49–25:59

The Conflict:

• Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner complained the US "didn’t talk to us" about Chris Richards’ calf problems, criticizing the USMNT for playing Richards during friendlies.
• Landon responds passionately:
  "If you play a player over and over and then when he goes away, you say he needs rest… you can just f— right off." (20:23)
• Pochettino’s clapback: “When you’re a head coach in a club, you are always an egoist. … I think we managed very well the situation with Chris Richards." (21:10)
• Club vs. Country Recurring Theme:
  Tim: "Ultimately, the value of a player goes up significantly if that player is a full international and plays in a World Cup." (21:45)
• Both hosts agree USSF must lay down clearer expectations with clubs about player release.

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Tyler Adams’ Injury & Concussion Protocol

Timestamps: 26:01–33:43

The Incident:

• Adams injured in a massive head-to-head collision but played the rest of the match. The other player was subbed off for concussion protocol.
• Landon: "It's bizarre to me he didn't come off the field. … There is immense pressure on the medical staff to get players back into the game." (30:31)
• Tim praises Tottenham for best practices, referencing a similar incident with another player who was removed despite protest:
  "Thomas Frank, the manager, didn't even look at the player… The physio said he's out… That's the way to do it." (32:23)

Club and National Team Both at Fault

• "The club vs. country debate goes both ways."
  — Tim, on how both USSF and clubs neglect player welfare at times. (33:31)

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MLS Playoffs Drama

Timestamps: 38:14–49:07

Highlights:

• Inter Miami & Messi:
  Miami’s dominance, led by Messi ("he just said, don’t worry about it…").
• Should teams man-mark Messi?
  Donovan: "If you give Messi one chance a game, he’s going to score. … You just have to limit every chance." (43:13)
• Minnesota Stuns Seattle:
  Wild comeback game, penalties, and the drama of switching goalkeepers for shootouts.
  • Tim: "[Subbing the keeper] might be a mental side, like a psychological, like, ooh they’re bringing in a closer. … But I don’t think it creates that big of an advantage." (46:02)
• NWSL Playoffs:
  Gotham FC’s resilience, beating Kansas City in extra time — a highlight in the growing women’s game.

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Premier League—"LiVARpool" & Title Chases

Timestamps: 51:13–58:49

‘LiVARpool’ Controversy:

• Landon and Tim both disagree with VAR denying Van Dijk’s goal, as the attacker didn’t impede the goalkeeper by the letter of the law.
  • Landon: "Whether Andy Robertson or 10 other guys are there, it did not matter. … He wasn’t going to make the save." (53:18)
• Call for accountability: "Just one time I want a coach… to say, yeah, the refs got it right…" (54:29)

Title Race Outlook:

• Tim: "I don’t think [Liverpool are] in the title race right now… That can change, but I would say at this point, no." (52:31)
• Discuss Sunderland’s draw with Arsenal and highlight standout performances including a wondergoal by Spurs’ Van de Ven and the record-breaking Champions League debut of Max Dman at 15 years old.

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Fan Connection & Questions

Timestamps: 62:10–76:36

Notable Q&A Segments:

1. Set Pieces Decline in USMNT?
   • Question if concussion awareness and heading restrictions at the youth level have contributed to the US losing its set piece dominance.
   • Tim: "Set pieces are very simple… you want it more… You have to deliver the perfect ball almost every time." (68:57)
2. MLS Team Branding ("Zards" vs "Sporting Kansas City"):
   • Hosts share nostalgia for old US soccer cultures and unique club names — "Zards, Zards, Zards!"
   • Tim: “The old is new again… maybe the old was better.” (75:07)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tim Howard on USMNT Attendance:
  "Our best U.S. soccer players are consistently not coming into camp. … That's a fact." (07:46)

• Landon Donovan on Club Complaints (Crystal Palace):
  "If you play a player over and over and over and then when he goes away, he says he needs rest… you can just f— right off because you're not doing what… this is Antonee Robinson all over again." (20:23)

• Tim Howard on National Team Mentality:
  "I couldn't dare not get on the plane and go to my national team. That has to be the feeling amongst the players. But I don't think that's the case right now." (23:37)

• Landon on Messi in MLS:
  "...the problem is, if you give Messi one chance a game, he’s going to score. If you give him three, he’ll score two or three." (43:13)

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Episode Structure

• USMNT Injury Roundup & Club vs Country Conflict (0:00–33:43)
• MLS Playoff Recap & Discussion (38:14–49:07)
• NWSL Playoffs Recognition ("Chose Chill" segment, 49:07–51:11)
• Premier League Spotlight & VAR Controversies (51:13–58:54)
• Fan Questions & Closing Banter (62:10–76:36)

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Final Word

The episode is a testament to the unique chemistry and expertise of Donovan and Howard, moving fluidly between sharp criticism (of club and federation player management), tactical analysis (across both USMNT and pro leagues), and an engaging, inclusive rapport with their listeners. Whether candidly defending national team priorities or breaking down how to stop Lionel Messi, the hosts never shy from an opinion — and the result is classic “Unfiltered Soccer.”

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For the next deep-dive on all things US soccer, Premier League drama, and the world’s game — don’t miss the next episode, and catch the hosts’ live stream after Tuesday’s USMNT match!

Transcript

[A]

Oliver Glasner of Crystal palace. He was quoted as saying, my only complaint is the US Team didn't talk to us because Chris was struggling with his calf for many weeks. Well, you knew he was struggling with his calf, Oliver. I'm going to borrow your phrase, Tim. Do me a favor, Oliver. Don't tell me you care about the player.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This is so obnoxious, dude. And as a national team fan, I could care less about Crystal Palace. Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim presented by Volkswagen. Volkswagen has long been a supporter of soccer in America and has proudly been a partner of U.S. soccer for over five years.

[B]

LD Season 2.

[A]

Season 2.

[B]

Unfiltered soccer with Landon and Tim is upon us. Didn't think we'd get here, but we got here.

[A]

I'll be honest, when we started this thing, I thought we'd get maybe two episodes.

[B]

This is amazing.

[A]

Now sign us back up.

[B]

Let's. There's a lot of happy people. There's a lot of sad people, too, but a lot of sad people. All good. We're back. So this is exciting.

[A]

All right. Lot, lot, lot to get into. So please, guys, as always, follow us on all our social media at Unfiltered Soccer and then subscribe to the show anywhere you get it. YouTube, Apple, Spotify, leave us a rating. It helps people find us. We got a big, big season and a big year coming up, so we want many people as possible listening, talking, chatting about the show. Should be a lot of fun. As always, you can email jordan@feedbackiltered soccer.com Quick thing, Tim. I was at. When I was at the US Game in Austin, I was there with Jessica Wolf, who runs marketing for VW for Volkswagen, and she was telling me about this street slam coming up in la. So I just want to kind of promote it. They've got. It's a street slam. It's in la on. On the 15th of November. There's 12 teams from across the country. They compete against each other. You know, see VW everywhere at the. At the tournament. They've got it on the jerseys. They got vehicles there. We got to get one of those little.

[B]

Got to get a jersey. Got to get and Got to get a bus.

[A]

You got yours? Mine's back there.

[B]

Yeah, I got my bus.

[A]

A lot of teams are even taking a road trip in the VW bus to the tournament. So if you're in LA Saturday, check it out. It's sponsored by vw. It'll be a lot of fun. She was telling me all about it.

[B]

Well, you and I need a. A VW bus. Road trip.

[A]

That would be so rad.

[B]

It's happening.

[A]

Love that unfiltered bus. All right, we'll do it. Okay, let's jump in. So the squad got released for the national team. Us mn on uslnt Boy, is there a lot here. And we're. We're going to get into some of it later. But let's start with some of the notable absences. Christian, the first one. So he just returned this weekend. He played 20 minutes. Played pretty well, actually. I watched, I watched the highlights and he looked. Looked normal. He looked fit. It was. It was good for him to get the time off. That's number one. Malik Tillman injured as well. He was. He subbed on in the last two games for Leverkusen. But I think they're going to just, they're going to be cautious with them and you're going to start seeing a theme here and I know you're going to have a lot to say about this. Alex and Dejas thigh injury. He subbed on this weekend in the second half. Johnny Cardozo's been out. He. He recently returned to training. He had an ankle injury. Timothy Weah has a thigh injury. Another muscle strain there. Anthony Robinson, which we will talk about. Kim Carter Vickers Achilles injury. Tyler Adams. We're going to talk about this later along with Chris Richards and then Weston McKinney. So let's. With the injured guys and then let's talk about Wes, Matt Turner, who was also not there, and get in the guys who are fit but not there. So go ahead.

[B]

Where do you want me to start? I mean, te me up.

[A]

This list is crazy, by the way.

[B]

Jesus. Yeah, yeah. It's a theme. It's a theme that the injuries happen. I know. I'm not stupid. I. I know that injuries happen. I. It seems like with this national team, injuries happen a lot. Maybe it's a timing thing, maybe it's a freak timing thing. But the, the, the headline for me has always been with this crop of players, we never get our best team together. Right. We don't. And when we have the opportunities, we miss them. The Gold cup was a great opportunity to do that. We missed it. November there they. The US Soccer and Pochettino put their flag in the dirt and said, this is it. From here on out, my best team's coming in and here we are. And they did, I think for the most part.

[A]

Yeah. The last one. October.

[B]

October.

[A]

Now November.

[B]

Sorry. And sorry. October. And then now here we are again. This is now a group of players. And by the way, much love to these players who are going into camp, but this is like last chance saloon for the bubble players. That. That. That's going to be important to them, that they make the team and. And freaking hats off. Pat them on the back and shake their hand. That's awesome to make a World cup team, but they're not going to be the players that are essentially going to be the ones on the pitch in the big moments.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[B]

For the most part. So, like, I'm. I'm flabbergasted at the amount of injuries that we have within our team. On a consistent basis, you're allowed to get injured, but the other part of that is there's a mentality piece, Landon, because I firmly believe. Because I lived it with myself. You lived it. I lived it with other teammates who are full internationals. When you play at the highest level because of return to play protocols, and for people who don't know, who are listening, return to play protocols is a phrase that crept into soccer over the last two decades. And it's basically, you get injured, you go through this plan of action to get you back to 100% fitness. And 100% fitness basically means you can play in a Premier League game or a Serie A game. Like, you ain't playing in those games if you're not up to speed. Right. That's just how it works. And so my understanding, because I lived it, is when you are back up to speed and I can compete and I can play in a Premier League game, yeah, I am fit. That's how it worked. Now, I might still be injured and I might still hurt, but I'm fit. Okay? So. So anytime I had an injury, ld and I played for. I played for Everton or United on the Saturday I was getting on the plane on Monday, it still hurt. My elbow, my hamstring, I still hurt. But I was going into camp because if I can play, I can play.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You get what I'm saying?

[A]

Yeah. The other thing, Tim, is generally what happens is you get on the plane, you go. And then they assess you.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

Right. So then if you're not fit or you're not, or they say, okay, it got irritated in the game. You know, Christian's a good example. He plays 20 minutes, you get on the plane, you come into camp, they evaluate you, and then you say, okay, you know what? He's probably should not play in this first game. We're going to give him a half in the second game. And meanwhile, and I've said this All. And again, we're beating a. A drum here or a dead drum, but there's value in them just being in camp together.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Forget about the games. Like, there's just value in that. So I don't want to lump everything in together, but this. This feels like a little bit of a regression because it's not like Anthony Robinson is injured. He is not playing right now. I get it.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

But between. Zendaya has. You went back in. Christian, who. Who played Tillman, who played. These guys were on the field.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Right. To your point. So it would be nice at least to see them in camp. I get it. It's an opportunity for other guys, and we'll get to those guys. But it's. It's just a recurring theme, and I.

[B]

Well, we don't mean that. We don't mean to lump them all together, but the fact of the matter is this happens constantly. This literally.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Not making this up. This isn't like an opinion. And I know some people love me for my opinion. Most people hate me for my opinion. This isn't an opinion. Right. This is our best. U.S. soccer players are consistently not coming into camp. Are they coming into camp? Yes. Are they consistently coming into camp? No. That's a fact. That's a fact. So we're not making anything up here anyway.

[A]

And I would say if, If, If Burhalter was the coach, still, you would say, okay, it's fine. These guys have been around him for five years. They know how he plays. They know. They expect it. Again, this is a new manager who still hasn't had his full group together, and they're still learning each other. They are.

[B]

So, yeah, no, but here's the thing. And I said this before, and it sounds. It sounds a bit flippant other than it needs to be implemented. And when it's implemented, it will become the norm. The US Manager from the day. Every time the manager changes over, you have a meeting.

[A]

Right.

[B]

They bring you into camp. You have a meeting, hi, I'm the coach. And so. And so. And this is how things go. The camp and U.S. soccer need to just simply mandate the next coach comes in and goes, guys, I need a commitment from you. Not a, hey, I really like the US national team. I want to be here. I need a commitment. If you can't commit to me or I see over the next 12 months that you are not committed, I've got no use for you. You might be the best player on the team, but I got no use for you. And I know, it's a big stance. But I tell you what, I've mentioned this before on the podcast. Playing for your national team in a World cup means everything to legacy, to your, to your wallet. It means everything to a football player. If you take that off the table, I bet you'll get some commitments.

[A]

So, anyway, and we should clarify. We don't, you know, I listen to Pochettino's press conference. We don't know. Ultimately, everything's his decision. Right. Because the players are obligated to come in if he calls them. We don't know if the players called, in what case, and said, please, you know, I need to rest.

[B]

Well, they don't talk. They don't.

[A]

That's true. That's true.

[B]

They don't talk.

[A]

That's true.

[B]

That's been put on record in between camp.

[A]

Yeah, that's true. That's true. Well, okay, let's get to Weston. So this was a, this was a confusing one. And I want you to talk about when, when you have a new manager, because I think there's this popular comment in world soccer where people say, well, his, he's got a new manager, so it's best that he stays there and performs and gets in the good graces of his new manager. So, so tell people, you know, what, what the realities are when that happens.

[B]

I didn't understand this one. I actually asked you for clarity, and then you, you kind of said basically that he had, they had a new manager. Pochettino had mentioned he wants him to stay there. Is that, is that, that's kind of how I'm following it, right?

[A]

Yeah, I believe so. Yeah.

[B]

So I, I, I'm, I'm, I'm baffled. Did I already say that on this, on the show? Then maybe I'm just baffled all day. I'm baffled by this one because I, I think I'm right here. If I'm wrong, I'll hold my hand up, but I think I'm right. If he doesn't come into this camp, which he's not, the next time he's available to come into camp is March. March, which is the next camp, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I, and I, I then believe it will be one calendar year where he's only been in camp with the national team one time.

[A]

Correct? I think that's what Andrew told us. Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Which is.

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

Wild.

[B]

That's crazy. So again, people, season two, again, we're going to keep a lot of receipts, but season two, people call us crazy, right? People, People disagree with our takes I hope Nobody in the U.S. soccer community, fan or otherwise can disagree with the fact that that is crazy. Probably our top three, certainly top five best players, hands down, has been with the team one time in a calendar year.

[A]

That's. You made a great comment, Tim, when we talked about it yesterday or over the weekend. And I hadn't thought about this because like I'm sympathetic to all these things. I do, I get it. I knew manager and you, you're softy. But you said, you said the new manager comes in. Yeah, he's got hundreds of games of Weston McKenna he can watch. He's not an 18 year old who just came into the squad who's trying to make a name for himself and he's got, by the way, whatever 8, 10, 12 games this year of him. He knows who he is.

[B]

So let me. So, yeah, so. So my comments were. Because this is what you're hinting at. You are who you are. Now this might be water under the bridge, okay? But you are who you are. Your reputation precedes you. If a new manager, which they did, came into Everton, he wouldn't have any questions about Tim Howard. He knows exactly who I am based on my body of work. Also, Weston's going to be. All the other internationals at his club are gone.

[A]

Right.

[B]

They're going to their national team.

[A]

Right. They're not even there training.

[B]

So he's going to be training with it with a skeleton squad or some reserve, some other guys. So I can assure everybody who's listening you are not impressing a manager in a 10 day international window back at your club. And by the way, if that was the case, I'd say to my manager, you want to assess me? Well, I'm going to play two games. I'm going to play really, two really good international games. You should watch that 180 minutes because I'm going to be on the pitch. So I don't know how. Apparently the players and the manager don't speak with the US team, but if they did have a conversation, I'm curious, did Pot say, hey Weston, I'm going to leave you out because I've also had managers.

[A]

Well, you've just said they haven't. They don't speak.

[B]

Okay, but hypothetically, I've had managers, I've. Lynn, I can't tell you the amount of times I've had a manager and it wasn't, it wasn't terribly often. But they've said, hey Tim, I'm thinking like I'll leave you out because like, you know I said, what? No, I'm. No, I'm coming in. I'm absolutely coming in. Like, why wouldn't I come into camp if you weren't planning on playing me both games? Maybe, maybe I'll play one game, but. So I don't even know how that was accepted by the player. Would the player not want to say, whoa, hang on, I want to come to camp. Why wouldn't you want. So this again tells me that the national team isn't a priority. People are going to argue that with me. People are going to argue that with me. I think the World cup for these players is a priority. I don't think the national team is a priority.

[A]

But I will say in Weston's case, and I'm, you know, I'm pulling back the curtain a little bit, I do know in speaking to people, he wanted to come into camp. He did, and he was surprised. Okay, so that was a Pochettino decision. Fine. And, and again, Pochettino has his reasons for calling or not calling someone. Okay, so in that case, you know, but was that always the case with Weston? No. There were probably camps in the past where he's like, oh, I don't want to. Now he's like, I want to be in every camp because he wants to make the World cup team.

[B]

Okay, so then what I would say to you is, and that's the world under the Bridgeport. Your reputation precedes you, right? If you're the best, if you're the best player, if you're the best top three or top five players on any team in the world. Internationally, there's question marks about whether you're getting called in or not. I mean, you and I can go down a list of, of the best players on the best top 50 teams in the world. There's no question marks about your top five players getting called into camp. So why is there a question mark with Weston? Whether the manager or it's him baffling.

[A]

The other in year old position? Matt Turner not called. And I assume Tim, that's just because he's out of the playoffs, not playing. I know he went to train with Forest, but I assume it's, I assume it's for that, that's, that's, that's all I can deduce from that. Right.

[B]

Yeah, I, I'm. You preface this. I have a lot of problems today with, with, with this roster. If Matt Freeze is technically the number one. Right. Matt Turner is in your, is in the mix for your number two, right?

[A]

Yeah, theoretically, yeah.

[B]

He's probably not going to play the game. So what does. What does him not currently playing have to do with anything?

[A]

Mm.

[B]

You're calling in guys who are currently playing, but they're never going to make the roster again. This is about building the chemistry, the camaraderie. Like in that goalkeeper group. I know that, like, you want continuity. You want Matt Fries, you want Matt Turner, you want whoever else is going to be three or four. You want them in. You don't want just random people in. We're almost six months away from the World Cup. I. I don't know what playing or not playing has to do with it, because he's ultimately not going to play the games anyway. Matt Fries is going to play the games. So if he. If he lo. If you think that he can lose match fitness or. Or match sharpness, it doesn't matter. You still want him in the train.

[A]

And be around the team.

[B]

And be around team. Right.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

All right.

[A]

We talked about Chris Richards. We'll get to him in a minute. So. So some of the guys who now have opportunity, Geo, Joe, Scally, Aaronson, we can set him a little bit aside because he's been into a lot of camps. Austin Trusty, who was man of the match in their. Their win over Rangers.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Any of these guys, Tim. I mean, let's put Aaronson aside. Scally, Reyna Trusty. Can these guys make the World cup team? I think I'll just. Let me start. I think with Scally. He's an interesting one because he can also play left back.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think with Anthony Robinson struggling, I think that has to be a thought. Right. Like who. Who's the next guy who can play as a left back? With Arston. Right. So he's an interesting one.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

And trustee. If they're going to play in a back three, maybe there's more competition there now. Right?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, look, I mean, I am interested in Joe Scally one because of that reason. Austin trustee. Austin trustee. Only because I do think we have two center backs. I think we're going to play in the back three.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And I think we have two center backs. So I think we need to find a third one. You know what that looks like?

[A]

And a third, fourth and fifth. Right. For depth.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, of course. Yeah. And then. Yeah. And Gio. Look, I'm a fan of Gio because I have my eyes wide open about who U.S. soccer is. Right. And like I said to you before time and time again, we do not produce players like this, whether they reach their full potential. Or not. We don't produce players like this. We've had, and I mentioned on this show, we've had Tom Ramos, we've had Claudio Reyna, we've had you, we've had Clint, we've had Christian. Right, that's five. I might be missing one or two. But to the, the people who are generational talents, we don't have those players. We've got robust players, we've got good center backs, we've got good goalkeepers, we had good strikers. We don't produce that type of player. And he is one of those players. And so I still, I still hold out hope that he can find the form with the U.S. national team and that he could find a place. Because, you know, and I know it's tough to take the ball in big moments when the lights are shining bright and you're the underdog and the world is watching. It's tough to take the ball in tight spots and tough moments. And I think he has the ability to do that. And I can't say that about many players.

[A]

So we keep saying it's his last chance. We've said it a million times. Just. I don't know. He's got a bit of nine lives, but for his sake, I hope he just goes in humble, does all the right things, works hard. If he plays a few minutes or starts a game, whatever, do everything, everything. I hope he's learned that that's the way you get in and, you know, we're gonna find out. So curious how you guys feel about the squad for the November friendlies. Let us know in the comments. Obviously, a lot of question marks and a lot of. A lot of chatter there. Okay, let's talk about Chris Richards. We alluded to it. So, yeah. Previously, A.C. milan had talked about their disappointment and their frustration with. With the US playing Christian Pulisic against Australia. Now Oliver Glasner of Crystal palace talking about his frustration, he was quoted saying, my only complaint is the US team didn't talk to us because Chris was struggling with his calf for many weeks. Well, you knew he was struggling with his calf, Oliver. We talked to them and said he should rest as they were just friendlies. They played him twice every single minute. That's disappointing. On the other side, we've tried to manage his minutes. Here you have resting him against Larnica. I've never even heard of them. So, yeah, of course he rested him, but you can't cheat your body. Chris's body told him he needs more rest. Let's see. I haven't taken a final decision if I start him tomorrow. He says he's fine. The medical department says he's fine. He did play the game, by the way, and he played a full 90 minutes. I'm going to borrow your phrase, Tim. Do me a favor.

[B]

Oliver, do me a favor.

[A]

This is so obnoxious. And I. If you play a player over and over and over and over and then when he goes away, he says he needs rest, you can. You can just f right off because you're not doing what. This is Anthony Robinson all over again. Last year they were. He played. Didn't train all week, took injections, pills, whatever, Played again. You don't care about them. Don't tell me you care about the player.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This is so obnoxious, dude. And I'm glad Pochettino went back at him. Yeah, it was so great. I want to read this, too. He's. This was his response. When you're a head coach in a club, you are always an egoist. You don't think about the national team or sometimes you believe that you have the right to say things that are not right. I think we managed very well the situation with Chris Richards. We played him because he was ready to play. Love that. And by the way. And then he touched on this, too. Yes, they're friendlies, but we don't have qualifying. These games are everything for us. And I just. Oliver Glass now, I. As a national team fan, Tim, I could care less about Crystal Palace. Yeah. Whether they finish first or 19th or they go to League Two next year, I could care less. I care about Chris Richards.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

Right. And if you want him rested and don't playing, not playing with the national team, then you can't play him every second of every game. And don't tell me they're just friendly. He could just.

[B]

Yeah, no, you're right. I liked Pochettino's response. I didn't agree with Oliver Glasner. Again with this and Tyler Adams situation. We're going to try and, as you said, pull the curtain back a little bit to give our listeners, like we say, club versus country. It's a real sort of problem and debate that every player deals with. But ultimately what we're trying to do is give you insight into, like, this is real. Like, where does. Where does the player's responsibility come into this? Where does the clubs? Where's the countries? And look, I get it on the surface, the first thing that everybody who disagrees with us is going to say, well, Crystal Palace, A.C. milan, Everton, Man United, whoever they pay your wages, which is. Okay, there's an argument there. But ultimately, the value of a player, which. The player is an asset to the club, the value of the player goes up significantly if that player is a full international and plays in a World Cup. So that's the counter argument. Ultimately, if this is an issue, if his calf is an issue, then he should not play two weeks for Crystal Palace. He should rest then. But Crystal palace, rightfully so in their case, think that they're a priority. That's why I said all along US Soccer has to up the ante, right? They have to be able to say, guys, if you don't come into the national team, I can't play you. It's as simple as that, right? And yes, it's a bit of brinksmanship, but I guarantee you players will start. Right? And by the way, Chris Richards, I'm not calling him in the question at all. The guy's a warrior and he's one of our best players. I'm simply saying at a certain point, it almost has to be. I couldn't dare not get on the plane and go to my national team. That has to be the feeling amongst the players. But I don't think that. I don't think that's the case right now. But anyway, Oliver Glassner.

[A]

But, Tim, that puts the player in a tough spot. I remember times Bruce arena would say to me, look, maybe you shouldn't go away with the national team. You know, maybe you should get. And it's like, well, what do you want? You want me to call my coach and tell him I don't want to go in? Yeah, right. Like, that's a tough situation to be in. And so it's. It's tricky to put the player. What I would. I'm just thinking this as you're saying this, so I'm just going to. I'm just going to say this out loud as you're saying it. I think there used to be a time where you genuinely had friendlies that were not in FIFA windows, and that's when there was a negotiation, like, should this player really come in or not? Now, FIFA has made very clear FIFA windows, the expectation is that your players are going to be gone. If you're a club team. Yes, that's the expectation, period. End of story. If they come in and they're not fit to play, then they can rest with the national team or they can turn around and go back. I know Sergino Dest did that at one point. He came in, they evaluated him Wasn't right. Send him back. But the U.S. soccer going forward needs to.

[B]

They need to mandate that the minute.

[A]

A new coach comes in, you call every one of these clubs and you say, hey, just so you know, every time there's a FIFA window, if there's a guy on there and we call.

[B]

Him, I call him in, he's coming.

[A]

Period. End of story. And there's too much ambiguity now. And it's like this negotiation and this talk and massaging it, and it's just creating a nightmare. The lack of clarity is creating a nightmare.

[B]

And look, the other thing is, I've been there too, and I had. Obviously, I had a really strong personality, but. And I played for managers that I respected, but that was also. That was also suggested to me from time to time, like, hey, maybe you don't. Maybe you don't go in and rest. And, you know, I played with two broken fingers at one point and I said, no, I want to go to national team and I'll inject my fingers the same way I did for Everton and I'll come play those games and I'll come back and I'll do the same thing like that. I put that on my shoulders. Nobody was going to tell me who when and when and where I could and couldn't play.

[A]

That's when you were an established pro.

[B]

These are established pros. Chris Richards plays every week in the Premier League. Yeah, Chris plays every. Every week for. For acr. These are. These are established pros. They are. They're the best play. They're. They're some of the best players on their. All of their individual teams and the national team.

[A]

Yeah, that's fair.

[B]

They don't have to be 35 to be established.

[A]

No, that's fair.

[B]

Yeah. All right, let's move on.

[A]

All right, guys, reminder to subscribe. And. And like on YouTube, our graphics team just told us a little soccer ball appears when you like it. That's kind of cool. My kids will love that. Do you agree with this Chris Richards thing? Do you disagree? Do you agree? Give us a. Like, get a little soccer ball again. My kids are going to be stoked on that. Let's talk about the Tyler Adams thing real quick. So this was weird. So you were on the desk. I turned on the game literally at the five minute mark, and I saw. I saw two players down.

[B]

You turned it right on at that.

[A]

My first, like, my gut was like, oh, please don't be Tyler. And then it was Tyler. And so I went back and I watched the play. Now he did not. This is interesting, Tim. He didn't come off the field after this collision as a head to head collision. If you haven't seen it, go watch it. The other player was his name. Smith came off the field and was substituted because he was deemed to have a concussion. Tyler did not come off the field.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Played the rest of the game. And then this morning we find out that he's not coming into camp and he's been replaced by Timothy Tillman for camp. And this one is confusing to me and I'm trying to assume the best, but I think I know the worst and I think, you know, I. I'm not going to speculate, but I am going to speculate. I saw the play. I saw the collision. Bournemouth hasn't said anything yet. There was no other play in the game that would have told me Tyler got injured in any way other than there was likely. They evaluated him and they said, you cannot travel, you cannot get on an airplane. Am I, am I wrong in thinking that?

[B]

No. So. So for clarity, there was a. There was Smith and Tyler Adams. There's a coming together. They both have eyes for the ball. It's a horrific head clash. Ld Right. So for anybody who didn't see it, they both have eyes for the ball. They go up, they basically smash each other's heads. And then bodies go flying. And when I say bodies go flying, I think they landed probably 10 yards apart. Maybe it's a little bit of a guess, but Smith was out. Smith was out in the air. He hits the ground, he hits his head. He's locked up. He is out cold. Okay. Tyler, I don't know if he goes out. I didn't see that.

[A]

Didn't seem like it.

[B]

But he's also. They're both of them are down and hurt for, for a long period of time. They both get assessed. I think actually if I, if I remember correctly, because it was the same team, I think the Bournemouth medical staff went to Smith and I think the Aston Villa physio or doctor went to Tyler only because he had a, he had a thought. It had a Villa jacket on, which happens for extra medical purposes. Smith, after I don't know how long the stoppage was, Smith goes off. He's got blood running down his head. He was out. He was completely knocked out. He's concussed. Off you go. Right. They use a concussion sub. I don't think I have to go back and look. I don't think Tyler left the field of play, which should be the protocol. I think you have to leave the field of play if there's a head injury to get assessed, I think at least 30 seconds or something. Now, look, good friends of ours, Taylor Twelman, who leads tons of research and all the things that he's involved in with concussions and head injuries, Dr. George Champis, who was a dear friend of ours at U.S. soccer, heads up NFL concussion committee and all the things around us, soccer and FIFA with their concussions and protocols. We've reached out to them and tried to get some obviously, information, but I think it's a big miss that if I'm going to assume here, which I shouldn't do, and if I'm wrong and if Tyler Adams has a toe injury or a calf injury, I'll retract what I'm saying. But what it looked like from you and I have played the game for a long time. We've analyzed the game for a long time. This looked like a serious head injury. And if Bournemouth are saying to us he played 87 more minutes with a head injury and we get to Monday and he can't get on a plane for that reason, and he can't play for that reason, or he's possibly in concussion protocol for that reason, then I'm saying they've put the player's well being in danger for allowing him to play on after. It's an obvious, obvious collision and clash of heads. So, yeah, continue on.

[A]

At a minimum, Tim, he should have come off the field and been assessed and been assessed at a minimum. If at that point the, the assessment they messed up or something, they put him back in and they realize after the game he's, you know, he's got headaches or he can't sleep or he's throwing up or whatever the concussion symptoms are, that's fine. And again, we are making an assumption. If we're wrong, we'll say we were wrong. We're making an assumption. And so it, it was bizarre to me that he didn't come off the field. And I'm just wondering how long now until they do what the NFL does, which is have independent people assessing them. Because what people don't understand, behind the scenes, there is immense pressure on the medical staff to get players back into the game. So now if you're a coach, you're going, well, I already had one player subbed off for a concussion. I need Tyler in the game. And you got to have someone with real stones to say he's not going back in. And my guess is they'll be like, okay, I guess we'll get. And Tyler, of course, you know, he's probably saying, I want to go back in, I want to go back in, I want to play. And so.

[B]

So let me. And let me. Let me refer back a week, maybe two weeks, okay? And I don't know, we didn't talk about this, but Bergwald, the midfielder for Tottenham, right, takes. I think he took a ball to the head. I couldn't remember what it was, but he, like, comes up and he's like stumbling and staggering, right? Then he goes down. So the physios come on, right? Typical concussion reaction. He gets, like, angry and he's like waving them away and they're going, no, no, no, hold on, let me assess you. This is Tottenham verse. I can't remember who. And in the Premier League. And I swear to you, the pictures will not lie. They're like doing an assessment. He's like angrily waving them off. They're like, just chill out. Let's do this assessment, bro. They must have said, follow my finger. Because they put his finger, their finger in front of him with his eyes. He went like this. Go look at it.

[A]

So he turned with it, bro.

[B]

He turned with it. And I immediately thought, he ain't there. So they take him off and he's annoyed. They take him to the touchline to further assess him. He was annoyed and you could tell he's like pushing people away. Credit to Thomas Frank, the manager at Tottenham. Thomas Frank, because this kid's begging to go back on. Thomas Frank, the player. Bergvall's here. Thomas Frank is here. Thomas Frank looks straight at Defisio. Doesn't even look. Doesn't even look at him. And goes, basically, can he go back on? And he said no. The physio, he looked at him again, he said, he's out. He said yes. Didn't even look at Bergvold. Just went to a substitute, got him on a win. So he didn't even take the player into consideration. Yeah, and that's the way to do it. So the Tyler thing. Watch this space. It's Monday.

[A]

Yeah, it's gonna be interesting.

[B]

I'm guessing, you know this is gonna get released. Our episode's gonna get released tomorrow. I would imagine we'll have some more facts as the week goes on. Yeah. And so again, I think what we need to do is, for our audience, is paint this picture of the national team is stupid. They're playing Chris Richards. And national team is stupid, they're playing Christian Pulisic. Well, guess what?

[A]

Goes both ways.

[B]

Club versus country debate goes Both ways.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And Bournemouth.

[A]

Crap.

[B]

And Bournemouth. If. If there's a problem and Tyler Adams is in concussion protocol, then there's. Then. Then it needs to be some answers.

[A]

Agreed. All right, it's stoppage time. Sponsored by FanDuel. Secure your chance to score 150 bucks in bonus bets today. Download that FanDuel app to check out today's soccer Daily specials betting odds. This week we're focused on the international break, so let's, let's look at the U.S. men's National Team versus Paraguay. I have the U.S. to win, and I believe our guy Flo Baligan, who's in fantastic form, will come back in, keep his run of form going and score on Saturday. All right, reminder for you guys, and we will remind you a few more times live stream after the game Tuesday night after the U.S. men's National Team Uruguay game next Tuesday. We will have a live stream for our reaction right after the game, right around 9:15 Eastern Time or whenever the game ends. So make sure you guys are tuning in. Again, live stream after the game Tuesday night after the U.S. men's National Team plays Uruguay. All right, Tim, let's take a break. When we come back, we will talk MLS playoffs. Man, there were some good games. Also. Premier League from the weekend right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim. As always, presented by Volkswagen.

[B]

The Unfiltered Soccer podcast is brought to you by Volkswagen, the presenting partner of U.S. soccer.

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[B]

Right, so we're in the thick of the MLS playoffs, LD, and there were some results this weekend which are interesting, exciting one or two boring ones. But when you move on in the playoffs, it's not terribly boring. So I think, I think we have to lead with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, the four nil drubbing of Nashville. I think that's where we start.

[A]

Yeah, they were good man. And I was nervous for Miami, Miami fans, my old teammate David Beckham, that this the Suarez thing could impact them. And then Messi just said don't worry about it. It's crazy. Another two goals, another assist they were absolutely scintillating. The weird thing now is, I know you've said with Miami they put all their eggs in the championship basket, right? Yeah, but because they didn't put as much emphasis because they had a gazillion games this year on the regular season. Now they've got to travel to Cincy, who beat Columbus Brenner, who came back from Udinese this year really late, loan acquisition, scored two goals, was fantastic. And so now this matchup, Miami at Cincinnati is going to be phenomenal. It's in three weeks, by the way. It's in three weeks and we'll get to that.

[B]

But so you're, so you're saying basically because they don't get the advantage of being at home.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, look, they don't, they don't calculate as much. But since he's a tough place to play, man, and when you go into the playoffs, going on the road is tough. In a one off game, it's really tough.

[B]

The one caveat to that, and I could be wrong here, but like, Messi's a traveling circus, right? So like.

[A]

Yeah, well, they have my fans, I get it.

[B]

But there's gonna be so many amazing fans in the building. Will they all be for. Dude, there's a lot of people. And I said this when I went to, went to New York, nycfc, it was like a ton of kids wearing messy, messy jerseys who were like NYCFC fans. You know what I mean?

[A]

So the counter to your caveat is I think Messi over the last year and a half, I'm not saying he's a villain, but he's done some things with the referees and other players and whatever where, you know, people, there's always this, the way it happens, there's novelty at first, right? Excitement, whatever. And then you play him again and you play him again and then you're like, whatever, he's just another opponent. As a player, you do that. As a fan, you do that. Right? And so I think the fans now are like, ah, whatever.

[B]

I'm not sure. I'm not sure.

[A]

I don't know. Tim. I went to the, I think it was whatever, the Nations League final or whatever last year, not nation, whatever it's called last year in Nashville. And yes, of course there were some kids there with messy Jersey, whatever, but 98 of the Nashville crowd was like anti messy. I mean they weren't like booing in them and like, but they were, they were the risk on their team.

[B]

The risk is worth the reward though, because if, if you get the rest. The rest is more important than home. Yeah, I think. I think for this team, we're gonna find out. So. So let me ask you a question, right? Put your coach's hat on because you've coached. I haven't, but is there. People are gonna think I'm mad. Is there a thought that you man Mark Messi. Now, before you comment. I'm not gonna let you comment yet. Let me hear me out. If Messi decides. Do you remember when you used to play Super Mario Brothers and you get the star and go boom, boom, boom, and then you could just run through everything. Like when Messi decides to get the star during the game, there is nothing you can do, Right? There's nothing you can do. We've been on. We played against them. And you, you tactically do this and that. I'm saying in the NBA, right? In the NBA, when you have a guy who can go for 35 on any given night in the playoffs, NBA coaches will tell you they'll run a double team at him every play to get out of his hands. And if the other guy beats you, you go, okay, cool.

[A]

Fair enough.

[B]

I'm saying people hate man marking, and I get it. If you just man marked him every time he stepped over midfield, are you better off than just going, you know what? We're going to. We're going to slide. We're going to protect space because he doesn't care.

[A]

Okay, so here's the problem, though. The problem is a lot of the goals he scores come off quick transitions. Like the first one the other night. It's a, It's a Nashville giveaway.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And so what are you doing? So when you h. Let's say you are man marking. Let's say you're Cincinnati and you have whoever man marking.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

When Cincinnati has the ball.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What is, what is that player doing now?

[B]

We're playing 10 on 10, bro. We're playing 10 on 10.

[A]

So you're just saying I, If I'm. I'm making. I don't even know who would man mark him for Cincy. But that player is supposed to man mark Messi even when Cincinnati has the ball just standing because that's when he's most dangerous in transition in those.

[B]

No, it's a good point. I'm. I'm saying we're putting a two touch limit on that player. You can bet you can get it, but you got to give it and then find Messi and then get back.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

No, I know.

[A]

I mean, I know it's stupid. But like what else are you going to do? No, but here's the. The problem is if you give Messi one chance a game, he's going to score. If you give him three chance a game, he's going to score two or three. And so you have to limit every chance. And to your point. No, I know. To your point, you just have to limit those moments. I don't hate it, I have to be honest. Because it is a one off game and he's the one guy who can do things that nobody else in the league can do. And you have to think, I don't have that. We don't have the data on this and we could get it. But when he does not score.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Or have an assist, what is their record? Right? Because he makes, I mean, makes every play. He makes every play. So I don't hate him. I don't hate it.

[B]

Probably gonna happen.

[A]

But on the other side of the east bracket. So Charlotte lost at home to nycfc.

[B]

Yeah, NYCFC is cruising.

[A]

Yeah, they look good. They look good. By the way, that was a bad loss for Charlotte. That was a big opportunity for them in that franchise. So NYC now will travel to Philly. That'll be an interesting matchup. And then we move to the West. So last night, MLS after dark, San Diego FC pumped Portland. San Diego see just a much better team. Portland have good players, but San Diego much, much better as a team.

[B]

Your board dryer is just insane, huh? Two goals. He's. Yeah.

[A]

And then what I think was the game of the weekend, Minnesota, Seattle. This is crazy.

[B]

This was seriously, what a game.

[A]

So if you didn't watch this, I'm just going to take you through real quick. So Seattle goes up two nothing within the first eight minutes.

[B]

What you think the game's over?

[A]

I mean, decent chance, right? Seattle's such a veteran team. They're still up 2:1 in the 40th. Minnesota gets one back. And then Joseph Rosala gets sent off for Minnesota for a headbutt, which by.

[B]

The way, I'm a firm believer when you get, when you get a red card, you lose a game. Like you can't win a game. 10 with 10.

[A]

You shouldn't, shouldn't. And down. And then there was a massive chance for Rus Knock to score in the 54th minute. He's got the whole goal gaping, Tim. And somehow he hits it off the post and then you started to feel like, oh no, it's going to be one of those.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Then Minnesota down a man, score two goals to go up. And then Jordan Morris scores LA equalizers to send it to penalties. And then they do. And I, I want to hear your thoughts on this. I don't know if we've ever taught this so, or talked about this. So Seattle brings in Andrew Thomas to take. To deal with the penalties. Minnesota misses their first one. They kind of go back and forth and then Seattle has two separate chances to score and win it and they miss both. Minnesota ends up winning after Seattle Bangs went off the crossbar. This game was wild, but I want to get first, I want to get your thoughts on subbing a goalie. And for Pence, I'm not sure I've ever gotten your opinion on that.

[B]

I don't know if that. I don't know if it makes a big difference. I mean, I think there might be a, you know, there might be a mental side of that, like a psychological, like, ooh, they're bringing, they're bringing in a closer. This guy's really good, right?

[A]

So you're trying to get him there. I mean, because I took whatever 70 penalties in my life. There are goalies who are much better at Pens than others. There are, there are. I'm telling you.

[B]

Right. But the, the, the, the fact of the matter is it's such a, it's such a low. It's not much risk in it either way. I'm, I'm. If you, if you can do it, sure. I don't, I don't think it, it creates that big of an advantage, but it's, I'm not, I'm not opposed to it either way. I've seen, I've seen teams do it.

[A]

I don't know, because you're the mental piece too. Like if some reason Nick Raimondo was not in, not healthy enough to play or Salt Lake, but right at the end they said, you know what, we're going to put him in for Pens. I'd be like, oh, crap. There is absolutely a mental piece of that. So anyway, it didn't matter because they lost, but what a game. Game of the weekend. So now I believe Minnesota goes to San Diego and LAFC will go to Vancouver. So I think there's two phenomenal games there. Lafc.

[B]

Minnesota's got to travel, by the way.

[A]

Yeah, that's a long travel. LAFC 2, Vancouver, phenomenal game. And then Miami Cincy, great game. So, yeah, yeah, yeah, gonna be a lot, a lot of fun there. The Vancouver LFC game is the 22nd at 9:30pm Eastern. Cincy Inter 5pm on the 23rd, followed by Philly and NYCSC. And then the last game is San Diego hosting Minnesota United on the 24th at 10pm yeah, so this layoff real quick. So there's two weeks in between. So it'll be three weekends since they play their last game. What's your take on that? I'm curious because I did it a couple times. Not that long, but that's very unusual.

[B]

It's, you know, as MLS has changed its playoff format, you all like, you always run into the, these international breaks during the playoffs. Yeah, I think I remember one time and I can be corrected here, but I think there was one time where there was a really long layoff between like the semis and finals even, but nothing, I've got nothing concrete to say other than until the, until, until we change, until MLS changes to the international calendar, there is no good format that will eliminate this long layoff because you're going to run into this November international window.

[A]

The reality too is when I used to go away, maybe two or three of us would go away for the national team because we only had two or three internationals.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And now every team has 10, 12, 15, 20 internationals. So you can't, you just can't play these games without your best players.

[B]

Did you ever play a game? No, you can't. There's no suggestion of that.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Did you, did you guys ever play a friendly match in that two week break or was that too risky?

[A]

Yeah, we would. No, we would, we'd either do an inner squad for like 45 or 60 or you get a college team out or something. But you had to play like, I know it's risky and, and you try to tell everyone to be careful, but you have to play. Yeah, you have to.

[B]

Yeah. Fair. It's time for the unfiltered refresh sponsored by Coors Light. Choose Chill. Get Coors Light delivered. Go to coorslight.com USLNT LD who chose chill this week?

[A]

Well, a lot of options because Premier league, there were MLS playoffs, but also NWSL playoffs. And I turn on ABC and watched Gotham, Kansas City because Gotham were up one nothing and I was watching the last like 30 minutes or so and it looked like Tim Gotham were on their way and Kansas City somehow right at the death gets a goal. And you just felt like Kansas City were so much better than everyone all year. You felt like, oh, no. For Gotham, that's it. And for our now friend of the pod, Caitlin Carducci, we thought that was her on her way to the next round. And Gotham to their immense Credit found a goal in extra time and won the game away at Kansas City. Yeah, they absolutely chose Chill. A phenomenal, phenomenal win.

[B]

It was, it was incredible because like Kansas City, you mentioned it, they were so much better than everybody. Like there's so much, there was like such a lack of parry parity at the top. They were amazing and you just kind of come into it as the underdogs. But what you forget about Gotham is they're so well run. They're such a well run group from top to bottom. I know Caroline Tisch personally here in New York City. The job that they're doing with that club is phenomenal. Jalen Howell, she's her, she is her, she played with my cousin at Florida State. She dominated the college scene. She, she's from Colorado so comes from an incredible athletic background with her, with her brothers and dad. I mean incredible. Absolutely incredible. Congratulations to all of them for choosing Chill.

[A]

Yeah, and there is Tim, there's a piece of it that Kansas City didn't have anything to play for for the last probably seven weeks of the season and Gotham were fighting playoff positioning all the way. And so congrats to you Gotham for choosing Chill and for moving on.

[B]

Great job.

[A]

All right, let's move on to the prem. Tim, it was really good weekend actually. Let's start with City. Liverpool should Arna slot, get the sack. I'm just kidding. So City very, very dominant in their win it looks. Now do you agree with this? Liverpool aren't going to be a part of the title race. Hard to imagine, right? It's got to be Arsenal.

[B]

I don't, you know, I, I, Rebecca Lowe asked us that on the desk and I said, look, I, I think the gap is, I think the gap is too big. That being said, this is, it's weird. I don't think they're going to be in the title race. That being said, there will be games lost. Right. So, so if this continues, I think it's an eight point gap. Is that right? I can't remember. You know, and what, what will happen is everyone will get if Arsenal lose a game and then on that weekend, and then on that weekend Liverpool win, then they call it back to five. You're like, well, it's like it's not impossible. So I don't know. I guess what people are saying, I guess what people are saying is Liverpool have lost five of the last six in the Premier League, right. So, so the thought process is they'll probably lose more than Arsenal will. Right?

[A]

So, but yeah, you got to Think they're going to drop points too.

[B]

Right. So yeah, I don't think they're in that conversation right now. But again, that can change. But I would say at this point, no.

[A]

Okay. I'm curious what you guys think out there. Are they out of the race or not? Are Liverpool done? Especially because Jordan's gonna freak out if you say they're done.

[B]

We'll ask Jordan.

[A]

We'll ask Jordan what she thinks. What about the goal that was not given? Van Dyke's goal?

[B]

Van Dyke's goal.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I saw you guys on the desk. Talk about. Well, let me give mine first. This is hard because it's subjective and the, the idea of having rules and laws and whatever is to take out subjectivity. So it's not just a human decision. The reality is it's a human decision and you're trying to judge intent. My. Here's my view. And by the way, I am no Liverpool fan. Okay, so Van Dyke heads the ball. Is it Robertson who's in the way?

[B]

Robertson, sir.

[A]

My question is, does he interrupt the view of the goalkeeper of Donaruma or does he get in the way that prevents him from making the save? And the answer to both is no, he's not going to make the save. Whether andy Robertson or 10 other guys are there, it did not matter. Now if he was going to make the save and they're in the way, then it's different. He wasn't going to make the save. So that's, that's the way I interpret it.

[B]

Yeah, no, I saw it the same way. And that's kind of. That's kind of how I explained it on air. I was like, the rule. The rule was implemented so that if the goalkeeper's line of sight was impeded or he was physically impeded from going to dive and.

[A]

But that was neither of those.

[B]

None of that happened. So it wasn't. Yeah, for me, yeah, the goal should have stood. Donnarumma saw the fight of the ball. He saw it leave Van Dyke's head. He goes full stretch for it because he knows that's the only way he can try and get it. He pushes. And when he goes to push, Robertson's not there anymore. He's ahead of him. He's a little bit to the left and he ducks. And even when he ducks, it's not as if he's trying to then read the flight off of Robertson's head and the ball's past him. So, yeah, I disagree with the call. But okay, it was a big turning point. And in the end. Yeah.

[A]

I just want one time, and I'll leave it at this. Just one time. I want a coach who's on the wrong side of that decision to say, yeah, the refs got it right because Arneslot said it is obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made. Just one time. I want. I mean, just. I'll give you an award. Something just be like, you know what? Yeah, they were right. They. Every time it's like, oh, it was a handball. Oh, it was a penalty.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Just like. I know, I get why, but can you just. At one point, I know it's such bs. All right. Spurs, United. Weird game. Really weird game. Tottenham were awful in the first half. United were awful in the second. In the end you get a 2. 2. Bizarre game. Spurs should have won. They get a late goal. They were up a man, right? Yeah. Then they were up a man. This strange, strange game. Probably fair result, right?

[B]

Yeah, I think it was a fair result. I mean, again, as you explained, weird game, football kind of back to back and end to end, sort of. Sort of. You thought. Yeah, you thought United were the better team. And then Spurs, I think they. I think they got booed off or something. And then at halftime, then they come back and they play well and Charlson gets the goal. You think, okay, that's put them over the top. And then inexplicably, just can't. Man. Man. Mark. And I can't remember exactly who it was, but let. I think maybe Brendan Johnson lets his. Let's delict off the back of him. And anyway, it was it in. I think both teams kind of like breathed a sigh of relief. I'm like, we'll just get out of here and take. Take the point, you know? So, yeah. Weird, weird, weird old game.

[A]

Congrats to Ruben Amaran being named manager, Premier League Manager of the month. That is not. Has that. That might probably the first time that's happened, right?

[B]

Probably. I would think.

[A]

Think Sunderland home to Arsenal. Two. Two. Interesting game. I. When I turned this on, it was one nil. Sunderland, I was like, whoa, here we go. Because this was kind of that moment where you're like, are they for real or not? I was like, oh, they're kind of for real. They're a good team.

[B]

Sunderland's good team.

[A]

They're a good team, right?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, they're. They're at a point now which is incredible. They're not getting relegated, right? Like. Like, they. They have shown. They have shown basically where they are, how many points they have they're going to go from strength to strength. Will they win every game?

[A]

They won't.

[B]

Will they have some dips? Yeah, but like, this is a good, so good team, good manager. They've got, they've got great pieces. They've got great pieces. They brought Shaka back from, you know.

[A]

He was at Arsenal.

[B]

The guy who scored Ballard, he's been a monster on set pieces. And defensively they've got a good goalkeeper in Roofs, so he's very reliable. And then, you know, they got strikers who can put the ball in the net.

[A]

So.

[B]

Yeah, good team.

[A]

They're a good team. Two things I want to talk this Mickey Fandeven goal. Did you see Midweek Yeah. Holy Jesus. Like if Messi scored a goal like that, you talk about it for a year. This guy's a center back, dude.

[B]

Center back.

[A]

Someone I forgot who told me. It was my buddy at the club who's a Spurs fan. He knows nothing about soccer. Did you see this? Van to van goal. And I'm like, nope. And I watched it. I was like, holy, what a goal, dude.

[B]

Yeah, the other team, if the other team, because it's not messy, the other team should just say, we're sorry, guys. We're gonna walk off the field. Like, he's right past 11 people. Not one person laid a glove on him.

[A]

Like, I mean, it's got to be goal of the year. It's a center back. I don't know how, you know, wild. Last thing is Max Dman becoming the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League. 15 years old, dude. Like, I have friends with 15 year old kids. It's, this is crazy.

[B]

You know what's wild? When you like Max Dman, you're like, all right, he's 15 years old, blah, blah, bro. He gets on the pitch. And if you were just watching the game and you didn't know any background, you're like, you know, he's, he's, he, he's nice. He's like Silky and he's 15, dude. He can't even get. He's got to have security. Can't even get changed in the same dressing room as the senior players. Like, it's wild. It's wild.

[A]

I do, I will do, I will say on the, just the cautious side, like, I hope and I'm sure, like judging by Arteta's comments so far and just that they're careful with him in all ways. I'm sure they are. And just in all the ways the media and the exposure and his ego and just Letting him be a kid and sure, you know, I'm sure he's excited, but I just. I want them to be careful.

[B]

Yeah. Arsenal do a great. Arsenal do a great job. It feels fostering young talent. So. Yeah, yeah, it's.

[A]

I think they have Declan Rice, too, like, mentoring him.

[B]

Yeah, he's like his. His older buddy kind of thing, so can't go wrong with Declan. He's brilliant.

[A]

Incredible. All right, let's take another break. Come back. We will get into your Questions in the AT&T fan connection. We will ask Jordan if Liverpool's title run is officially over. Right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen. Stay right there. This episode is brought to you by Airbnb. All right, Tim, between your work, your daughter, your son, or maybe just your own enjoyment, how much traveling do you think you've done to see soccer this year? Year?

[B]

Honestly, I've lost. I lost track at this point. You know, just this summer alone, I was all over the place. But it is. It's a beautiful thing to see how many soccer fans and how soccer has been embraced, no matter where we go.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I was just in Austin. I'll be traveling to New York. Everywhere I go, I meet fans, whether I'm going to see a game myself or just on vacation. I see people everywhere. I hear stories. I hear stories about their pilgrimage to Everton to go watch a game, to go see the new stadium, to go see their favorite team. They get immersed in the chants, the songs, that incredible feeling of seeing the game up close and personal.

[B]

Well, I mean, I think that's where. That's where the game has changed. These trips have become a big deal for soccer fans, and this summer is going to be no different as we'll see the soccer community make their way to 11 host cities here in the US to support their favorite national team.

[A]

That's going to be incredible. I can't wait for it. And what if those fans could turn their homes into an opportunity while they're away at the game? Hosting your home on Airbnb while you travel is an easy way to earn a little bit of extra cash. Maybe go towards tickets for your game that you want to go to. We know they're not cheap or maybe to help your kids pursue their soccer dreams.

[B]

Yeah, your home might be worth more than you think. So find out how [e-mail] host LD for me to. Holidays are all about connection to family and to friends. We host a lot, so we got a lot of people over the house. Often times when it starts to get chaotic and the turkey or the ham's getting burnt and the kids are running around playing with their new toys, I go out back by the fire pit and I choose chill. I crack open a Coors Light.

[A]

Yeah, it's my favorite time of year. It gets cold. Not as not quite as cold as New York, but it's cold outside. It gets dark early. Kids are playing. We turn on the Jacuzzi, relax in the hot tub with a Coors Light. Choose chill, relax, have family, friends, good food, good memories. My favorite time of year.

[B]

When you embrace a chill mindset this holiday, it's a good time to choose chill and crack open a Coors Light.

[A]

Choose chill this holiday season and then reach for a Coors Light. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Visit coorslight.com USLNT or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer.

[B]

Celebrate responsibly Coors Brewing company Golden, Colorado there's nothing better than feeling like someone has your back and that things are going to get done, even without you having to ask. Like your crisp New Jersey waiting for you in the locker room or a perfectly set up wall for a free kick.

[A]

Yeah, as we unfiltered soccer get ready for next summer, we know that very little in the beautiful game is guaranteed. But as we prepare to bring our unfiltered brand of non stop soccer coverage, it's good to know AT and T has your back. With the ATT guarantee, staying connected matters.

[B]

That's why in the rare event of a network outage, AT and T will proactively credit you for a full day of service. That's the AT and T guarantee.

[A]

Learn [e-mail] guarantee@&t connecting Changes Everything Credit.

[B]

For fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more or a wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers must be connected to impacted towers at onset of outage. Restrictions and exclusions apply. See att.com guarantee for full details. It's time for the Fan Connection presented by att. Every week we invite you, the listener, to connect with us by submitting your questions. The best way to grow the game of soccer in the US Is to keep asking questions and keep talking about the sport we all love. At, AT and T Connecting changes everything. And on uslnt, our connections with you will help grow the game. Yes, it is that time LD the AT& T fan connection where you guys get to holler at us and tell us all the things you Love and hate. And Jordan also loves it because she gets tons of. Of airtime. Jordan, welcome back to season two. I can't believe. I can't believe they renewed your contract as well.

[C]

I fought against it, frankly, but they dragged me back in here.

[B]

No, no, no. You're just.

[A]

Jordan, the first question goes to you. Are Liverpool's title hopes done?

[B]

Ooh, great question.

[A]

Can you answer unemotionally?

[B]

The answer to that is nothing. No.

[C]

No. Here's my actual thoughts on the. If you really want to know.

[A]

I do want to know.

[C]

I think a year ago when we first started this podcast, maybe four or five episodes in, Landon Donovan said on this very podcast that it was over. Liverpool had locked it up. And I was like, no, we don't. We can't function like that. We. There's too many games still to be played. It's not actually mathematically locked up. I was trying to be reasonable about it.

[A]

Was Landon Donovan right or not?

[C]

Landon Donovan was right, yes.

[A]

Oh, interesting.

[C]

And I do think that there are too many games left. There's too much of the season left for something potentially catastrophic to happen to Arsenal. I don't want. I don't want that. I don't wish bad things on people, because that's not. Live your life.

[A]

Yeah, you kind of.

[C]

No, but I'm just saying, like, there's too much stuff that could potentially. We saw what happened to Manchester City last season. So do I think Liverpool's chances are high? No, I do not. I do not think that they're very good, but I do think there's just too much of the season and a lot of, like, Arsenal's playing in the Champions League. There's just. People are playing too many games. We're seeing what's happening to the U.S. men's National Team players. They're all made out of glass, apparently.

[B]

That's different.

[A]

That's different. Not analogous, but okay.

[C]

Well, how many players on Arsenal are playing for their national teams? So I'm just saying people have to play a lot of football. So let's not get ahead of ourselves, all right? Hey, I have a question for Tim Howard.

[B]

Yeah, talk to me.

[C]

Did you play in a penalty shootout against.

[A]

We Never Talked about.

[B]

Universe. Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team.

[A]

How'd that go, Tim?

[C]

Well, because, just for the record, again, Landon Donovan. Flip flopped.

[B]

He came to my side.

[C]

Yes, he did, I suppose. Supported the ladies. And I would like to know which one of us was right.

[B]

I got my ass whooped. The crazy thing about it is. Here's the crazy thing. I went into it and I was like, whether I won or lost, I was certain I would do better than I did.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. I was just thinking, like, you said eight. No, I said I would save four. I said I would save four. Between miss and saves, I'd get four out of 10. And the craziest thing was I was. I went into it saying, like, if I can. If I can read the shooters properly.

[A]

Right, you'll get there.

[B]

I'll get there.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I got beat for pace. Like, I went. I went to the right side, not to the correct side eight times, and I got beat for the ball, hit my hand and went in and I. And I was trying my absolute hardest, which is crazy. But hats off there. They are amazing. That group of women, young women are just amazing. They're such a family. It was so much fun to be out there and it was actually a good time because, like, there was all these. There was all these people doing digital content and a lot of the girls have dogs. So the dogs are on the field and like families came out. We made a day of it and it was. It was really special. My daughter banged one on me. I was like, I'll get this. It was crazy.

[A]

So what did they make? 8? Is that what I heard?

[B]

They. I think they made. Yeah, I saved one. They missed one and they made eight.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Wild. But it was a ton of fun. So we got to run it back. We gotta get.

[A]

I gotta go down there.

[B]

Yeah, I gotta get you down there. We gotta get some people down and we'll go to a football game. We'll make it. We'll make it a whole big thing, right?

[C]

Love it.

[A]

I think I can make it against them.

[C]

Okay, so so far at the top of the segment, Landon has won and Jordan has won. So that's. We've got one right, one private. Wow. One right prediction a piece. There we go.

[A]

All right. Easy for you to say.

[C]

No, it wasn't. I told you. I tried not to do this. But here we are again. Season two. Let's get into some questions. Let's start with something that somebody asked this question a little while ago, but it has turned out to be a little bit of a hot button thing considering all the things that have we've been talking about in the episode today. So here we go. This question is from Jason via email. It's been good to see Chris Richards become a goal scoring threat on every set piece. He and Weston are a two. Are a two headed monster that could possibly reverse a long decline in set piece. Threat for the usmnt. Do you think concussion risk awareness in US sports contributed to that long decline? The US Soccer Federation limits heading practice for youth players. How often do the pros practice set pieces or crosses? And how many head reps would an attacker or defender take on those days?

[A]

Wow, what a question. That's an interesting theory. I think at 13 now they can head the ball. I don't think that's why. But what I hadn't thought about. Who was this Chris?

[C]

Jason.

[A]

Jason. What I hadn't thought about, Jason, was we have declined in being good at set pieces because, Tim, for a long time we were really dominant, like J. Demerik, Los Gooch. Our strikers, like our attacking players. McBride. That's a good point. We have, we have sort of declined in that way. We used to dominate teams on set pieces. And what do you, I don't know. What do you think that is?

[B]

I don't know. I, I, I, Set pieces are very simple. You have to, you know, I, Arsenal get all this credit and I talked about this over the weekend. Arsenal get all this credit for being like the best set piece team in the Premier League and possibly in the world. You know what it comes down to? They have two people who have an amazing ability to deliver the perfect ball almost every time. Right. So I know there's runs and there's blocks and there's all these theories. They, they literally. Declan Rice and soccer from the other side deliver an inch perfect ball every time. So it gives them a better opportunity. And by the way, you go after that, you go and attack it and you want it more. So. No, I don't, I don't think that that's been a decline. I, I think it's.

[A]

You don't think we've declined?

[B]

I don't think the reason for that is, Sorry, is, is, is the lack.

[A]

Of headers at you. Yeah. Because the other part of his question was, how often do you practice? I mean, you practice this stuff a lot. You do practice it a lot. So I, yeah, I, I don't. It's, it was refreshing, especially during the Gold cup, to see Chris Richards and.

[B]

Burhalter and ultimately, in terms of reps, like once you turn 13, you're hopefully learning how to head the ball properly. Right. So by the time you get to U.S. men's National Team, you've had over a decade.

[A]

Well, the other thing they do. Yeah, the other thing they do, Tim, is you do, you do head the ball before that. You just can't do it in a game. So they Work on it. Like when you're young on how to. I do it with my kids in the backyard. I throw it really soft and they head it with the right part of their head, you know? Yeah.

[B]

Have you tried to head it with, with your, with your new hair?

[A]

I knew that was coming. You're such an idiot. Shut up.

[B]

How does it feel?

[A]

Shut up, dude.

[B]

Come on. All right, next one.

[C]

Okay. Speaking of Arsenal, this one is from Glenn via email. There's been much talk about set pieces from Arsenal this year. One commentator noted how Arsenal's most feared weapon is the set piece much more than any single player. Does a threat like a set piece scare an opponent more than a world class striker? Is it harder to game plan around set pieces versus a superstar like Holland or Salah?

[B]

So my take on that is set pieces have become more and more difficult and people have. Teams have set piece coaches now and there's way more time spent on it in analytics than there ever used to be. So my thought process, and if you're ever coached by David Moyes, he would tell you it's only one ball. So his point was like, they're scoring. He's like, well, we have more players in the box than they do, right? You always have more players in the box than the opponent. As a defender, as a defending team, he's like, he would just tell us, go head the ball. What's the problem? Obviously there's some nuances to that. My. I think, I think the set pieces cause a major problem, probably cause more risk than like a single. A singular striker. But what I would say about Arsenal and I, and I truly believe this, teams are failing themselves because here's what Arsenal do they look at, they played Sunderland, right, this weekend. So they'll spend all week preparing based on what Sunderland do, how they set up. There's a man in the near post space, there's a man on the post, there's a man at the six. They man mark whatever they do, right? And then a lot of times they're only. If you ever watch Arsenal, they're only picking out one player. It's Gabrielle, right? And because the service is so perfect, everyone's blocking and picking and doing all these runs to get Gabrielle free and then secondarily Saliba free, right? Where teams are failing is the week prior to playing Arsenal. You need to change your defensive setup, right? So, so you work all week on your defensive setup and Arsenal have been studying everything you've done for the last 11 weeks. So when they get on the pitch and they put the ball down, they're going to go, oh, we're going to block that guy. Well, that guy's not there any longer. You set up differently, so you've got to counter their counter, and teams aren't doing that.

[A]

So that's really good. And I will say, just to Glenn's question, there is a very real impact when you're like, I think about Stoke back in the day. I think about when we had Beckham. Teams do think about, oh, shoot, we better not foul, or you better not kick it out for a throw in here, or it's getting lumped in your box by. By the lap at Stoke. Right? So there. When you're really good at set pieces, I bet you teams now are like, don't give away a corner, Arsenal. Don't give away a corner. And that there is a mental piece that. That does impact you for sure.

[B]

That's right.

[C]

Another question. How about something about mls? Kind of.

[B]

Sure.

[C]

This one is from Dan via email. I am a longtime Sporting KC fan. I know tough times.

[A]

Sorry to hear that, bud.

[C]

But I was slightly disappointed when they changed their name from Casey Wizards to Sporting Kansas City. Felt like it killed a bit of the American soccer culture once MLS teams began naming clubs after European team names, such as Real Sporting Inter. It seemed like we were becoming something other than ourselves, and it killed American soccer culture once. What do you think about this?

[B]

Great question. So I. I am. I am a. I am a Metro star at heart, so I appreciate this. And, Landon, you played for the Earthquakes and all that good stuff. Here's what I would say. We try to reinvent things from a marketing standpoint to make things better. So I don't fault the league for that. If you look at the Kansas City Wizards and that kind of culture they created and the uniforms, that's special, right? And I'll give you a parallel. If you look at. If you look. If you look at the Philadelphia Eagles or you look at the Denver Broncos, right? Their retro uniforms sell better than their current uniforms because everybody wants to see it. They're like the Eagles. The Eagles should play in Kelly green. They shouldn't play in the. In the dark green. The old. The old Randall Cunningham jerseys are the best ones. When you look at Denver Broncos, the Orange Crush is who they are. That uniform, they're not navy. They're not navy blue. So I do think there's a miss there where it's almost like the old is new again. And so when we tried to, like, reinvent this new soccer culture and go to some of these European team names. I think there are. There are going to be an argument for certain clubs, Kansas City being one of them, where you're like, maybe the old was better.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, I don't have too much that people are making decisions to try to market the club better, and they know way more than we do. I just will say with Kansas City. So we used to play an Arrowhead, and they would. At first they were called the Wizards, and then they changed. I think for briefly, they changed it to the Wiz.

[B]

The Wiz.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And then they had this guy. They had this guy who would run around the stadium and he would say, zards. Zards. Zards. And try to get the crowd to chance. I can't make this up, dude.

[B]

And we've been warm up and we'd be dying, dude.

[A]

We almost couldn't warm up.

[B]

Oh, that's amazing.

[A]

Such a joke.

[B]

Soccer 1.0 in this country. Didn't you guys have a. I'm digressing. Didn't you guys have a. A drummer guy in San Jose? Wasn't there, like an older gentleman?

[A]

There's all kinds. Yeah, there's all kinds of stuff.

[B]

Bang. This drum is go crazy.

[A]

Anyway, the best.

[B]

Gords.

[A]

Gords. I want to get a T shirt.

[B]

Yeah. That needs to be. That needs to be an unfiltered soccer hashtag. Gords.

[C]

Do you think it would help the team if they became the Wizards again, the Zards?

[B]

I think it's a very good franchise. I play against them a lot. I think they do.

[A]

No, I don't think it would help.

[B]

They do a lot of.

[A]

I think they're doing well. Yeah.

[C]

Okay. Reminder for everybody out there. If you would like to see your question answered here, send me an email@feedbackunfiltered.

[B]

Soccer.Com and demand that Jordan get your question in the show.

[C]

Don't demand. I don't respond well to demands.

[B]

Say a demanding please.

[C]

Yes, please, in all caps. I will accept that.

[B]

That's fine.

[C]

All right, thanks, guys.

[B]

Amazing. Thanks, Jordan.

[A]

All right, Tim. Great show. Good to be back. A reminder for everyone. Live stream next Tuesday, 9:15 Eastern Time, or whenever the the game is over with the national team. We'll be on here live to answer questions, dissect everything that happened. Thanks again, guys. First episode of season two. Amazing as always. Subscribe on YouTube, please. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, anywhere you get your podcasts. Follow nfiltered Soccer for bonus content. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Volkswagen. We love you guys. Our fan connection sponsor at&t and our stoppage time sponsor, FanDuel.

[B]

Yeah, thanks for coming back. Thanks for showing us the love of season two. We're excited for it. Obviously, the World cup is going to fall during the season, so, so much great stuff. Thanks also to our unfiltered refresh sponsor, Coors Light, and our additional sponsors, Cafe Bustelo and Airbnb. Have an amazing week. We'll be back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer.