Podcast Summary: Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard Episode: USMNT vs Venezuela Recap, Everton Shock Spurs, and the Worst Manchester United Team Ever?!
Release Date: January 21, 2025

Introduction and Travel Stories

The episode kicks off with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard sharing their recent travel experiences. Landon mentions visiting Orlando to watch his daughter’s ODP games, expressing his discomfort with the city:

Landon Donovan [00:30]: "Orlando is not my place. So sorry about it."

Tim reciprocates with his trips to Orlando and New Orleans, recounting a particularly unpleasant morning after a Super Bowl event in New Orleans:

Tim Howard [01:02]: "They have this vehicle that hoses all the crap that's been sitting there all night into the gutters. It was so disgusting, dude."

US Men’s National Team (USMNT) Recap

The hosts delve into the USMNT’s recent performance against Venezuela, praising the team's solid result despite limited preseason training:

Tim Howard [02:59]: "I thought overall it was a really solid performance by the team. I think Pochettino will be pretty happy."

Jack McGlynn’s Standout Performance Both Donovan and Howard highlight Jack McGlynn’s impressive play, noting his meteoric rise and significant impact on the field:

Landon Donovan [03:18]: "He leaves you feeling like, okay, there's growth here."

Penalty Controversy A heated discussion ensues about the penalty incident involving Jack McGlynn and Miljevic, with both hosts expressing frustration over the loss of the penalty and deeming it detrimental to the game’s objective:

Landon Donovan [06:01]: "I hate that. And I label that as absurd." Tim Howard [06:53]: "It's really ugly. ... This situation is really ugly."

Player Updates and Departures The conversation moves to players leaving camp early, including John Tolkien’s signing with Holstein Kiel, Jaylen Neal’s injury, and Jesus Ferreira’s departure to focus on fitness:

Tim Howard [10:13]: "I spoke to someone at U.S. Soccer, and they said that is actually the truth." Landon Donovan [11:07]: "He’s dealt with injuries last season."

European Football Highlights

Tyler Adams’ Return to Fitness Tyler Adams’ resurgence is a focal point, with commendations on his renewed form and importance to the national team:

Landon Donovan [13:11]: "He has the bit between his teeth... fully confident."

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKinney Discussing Christian Pulisic's cautious return and Weston McKinney’s versatile play, the hosts emphasize the strategic decisions influencing player performances:

Tim Howard [14:40]: "Weston played right back, which is interesting."

Tim Weah’s Redemption Arc Tim Howard praises Tim Weah’s growth following his red card incident, noting his improved mentality and commitment:

Tim Howard [18:22]: "He just seems like a changed player."

Malik Tillman’s Injury A brief mention of Malik Tillman’s ankle injury at PSV, with well-wishes extended for his speedy recovery:

Tim Howard [20:52]: "Wishing him the best and hopefully that doesn't last too long."

Premier League Deep Dive

Manchester United’s Struggles A critical analysis of Manchester United’s underperformance under coach Ralf Rangnick, highlighting his candid remarks about the team's issues:

Landon Donovan [24:41]: "They have no divine right to be anything other than just another team in the Premier League."

Donovan appreciates Rangnick’s honesty about the team being possibly the worst in Manchester United’s history:

Landon Donovan [27:32]: "I like his honesty."

Manchester City’s Resurgence Conversely, Manchester City’s improvement under Pep Guardiola is celebrated, with optimism about their unbeaten streak:

Landon Donovan [32:21]: "Pep Guardiola is still a genius."

Everton Shocking Tottenham The hosts express frustration with Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou, criticizing his inability to adapt and manage a struggling squad:

Tim Howard [44:20]: "They just aren’t good enough."

MLS News & Notes

Coaching Changes

• NYCFC appoints Pascal Janssen as their new head coach, receiving positive internal feedback:

  Landon Donovan [47:03]: "Pascal Jensen is actually quite a good signing."

• Vancouver Whitecaps hire Jesper Sorensen from Brøndby, despite mixed past performances:

  Tim Howard [48:04]: "He's been a victim of his own success."

Player Transfers

• Wilfried Zaha to Charlotte FC: Donovan expresses mixed feelings but acknowledges Zaha’s talent:

  Landon Donovan [48:39]: "He's talented on the ball. Tricky."

• Neymar’s Move to Santos: Tim Howard humorously remarks on Neymar’s return to Brazil:

  Tim Howard [50:03]: "It's time for Carnival. Holiday."

Potential Return of Miguel Almiron to Atlanta United The possibility of Almiron returning to Atlanta is discussed, highlighting his past success and compatibility with manager Eddie Howe:

Landon Donovan [51:22]: "It could be a really fun one."

Mailbag/Q&A Segment

LA Galaxy’s Championship Prospects Tim and Landon assess the likelihood of LA Galaxy repeating as MLS champions, considering player acquisitions and team dynamics:

Tim Howard [56:03]: "I wouldn't bet against them."

Favorite USMNT Venues and Desired New Stadiums The hosts share their favorite venues and wish-list stadiums for USMNT matches:

Tim Howard [58:44]: "Kansas City’s Sporting Kansas City stadium is fantastic." Landon Donovan [60:05]: "Columbus Crew Stadium holds significant meaning for me."

US Open Cup vs FA Cup Debating the importance of the US Open Cup, Donovan and Howard emphasize the need for greater investment and MLS teams taking it more seriously:

Tim Howard [61:07]: "It's a really complicated dynamic." Landon Donovan [63:04]: "There's a dollars and cents aspect to this."

Off-Topic Discussions: NFL and Personal Stories

NFL Refereeing and Patrick Mahomes The conversation shifts to the NFL, critiquing refereeing inconsistencies and praising Patrick Mahomes’ competitive nature:

Tim Howard [65:41]: "He’s so good at winning. He's good."

Funny Car Anecdotes Both hosts share amusing stories about cars and player behavior, adding a personal and humorous touch to the episode:

Landon Donovan [74:03]: "Roberto Martinez made Mo sell his Lamborghini because the seat was too low and could cause hamstring injuries."

This episode of Unfiltered Soccer offers a comprehensive analysis of recent events in both national and international soccer, blending professional insights with personal anecdotes. Donovan and Howard provide candid opinions on managerial strategies, player performances, and league dynamics, enriched by their extensive experience and engaging banter.