First Touch

With the international break winding down and Thanksgiving almost here, the First Touch Podcast decided it would be a good time to check in on the FPL season. Nate and Tyler are joined by Freddy and Drew to check in on the Fantasy Premier League a quarter of the way through the season.

United States soccer is back this week. For an American-based podcast, it's only taken 20 episodes to finally take some time to talk about the USMNT. Nate and Tyler give a United States men's national soccer team preview ahead of their friendlies against Wales and Panama. Plus, an update on the podcast's Fantasy Premier League performances, including talk of a potential bonus FPL episode next week. Stay tuned for an interesting quote from Napoli's manager in this week's Around the Net, as well as the Pub of the Week, located in Washington D.C. this week.

Sometimes the First Touch Podcast gets a little too caught up on the Premier League. We decided to change things up a bit this week. Nate and Tyler take a break from Premier League talk to provide an update on Italy's Serie A. Plus, this week's pitch profile on AC Milan superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Stay tuned for a discussion on Pharrell's new Adidas jersey collabs, and a new Pub of the Week.

The European football landspace has taken a big hit financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bigger clubs are now looking to try and shake things up because of it. Nate and Tyler discuss the possible restructuring efforts led by Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool and Manchester United regarding the European Premier League and Project Big Picture. Plus, the controversy surrounding Sergio Aguero, the possible return of Petr Cech to Chelsea, and this week's Pub of the Week.

The past week featured some crucial of red cards, massive upsets and a whole lot of goals. As if that wasn't enough for one week, the Champions League and Europa League also officially drew their groups for the 20/21 season. Nate and Tyler discuss the Champions League group stages, breaking down the top contenders out of each group. Plus, a profile on Everton's new star, James Rodriguez. The Columbian legend has had a long, winding road to Everton, but there has been one consistent with a lot of his clubs that you may not be familiar with. Be sure to listen, review, and subscribe to join the FTFC.

Tyler still doesn't fully understand how TikTok works. Fortunately, First Touch brought on a guest to help explain it to him. Nate and Tyler are joined content creator, B/R Football contributor, and TikTok star Elischa Edouard to talk about his viral sensation. Plus, a breakdown of the top 10 highest-paid soccer players in the world.

Tottenham and Liverpool made some high-profile transfer moves this week, so naturally Nate and Tyler have a lot to talk about. Nate and Tyler are joined by Pittsburgh radio host and "The Super Genius" Mark Madden to talk about Liverpool's transfer rumors/signings and start to the season. Plus, this week's Pitch Profile on Gareth Bale, with the Tottenham Hotspurs bringing back their former star player on a one-year loan from Real Madrid. Send us your requests on who you would like us to cover in future Pitch Profile episodes, and be sure to subscribe and review wherever you listen to podcasts to join the FTFC.

A week-long break felt like an eternity for the First Touch Podcast. Hopefully listeners missed us as much as we missed them. Indiana University men's soccer coach Todd Yeagley joins Nate and Tyler to talk about his program, college athletics during COVID, and the state of soccer in America. Plus, this week's Pitch Profile on Liverpool's Mo Salah, the return of Premier League football, Liverpool's close call to Leeds United, and some interesting FIFA ratings controversy. Subscribe, review and follow the FTFC on Instagram @FirstTouchPod and Twitter @FTFCPod

Where is Lionel Messi going? That's the question that everyone is asking in the soccer world right now. First Touch takes a look at how Messi became one of the greatest players ever in this week's pitch profile. Plus, Nate and Tyler take a look at what happened between Messi and Barcelona, as well as which teams are the top contenders to land the legendary player. Where do you think Messi will land?

First Touch is starting an FPL league! As a thank you to our listeners, enjoy this bonus episode talking Fantasy Premier League tips, strategies and players to watch. Nate and Tyler are joined by the First Touch Betting Council, Drew Howard and Freddy Sund, to give you the perspectives of multiple FPL managers as they start building their lineups before the season kicks off. Join us using league code YMJ4KG at fantasy.premierleague.com. The winner of the league will receive a prize from the podcast at the end of the season. Just another way to join the FTFC.

There's a new professional soccer team in San Diego, and they just so happen to be coached by Landon Donovan. San Diego Loyal defender Sal Zizzo joins Nate and Tyler to talk about the USL team's inaugural season and what it's like to play for the former USMNT star. Plus, recaps on the Europa League and Champions League finals, and a pitch profile on Bayern Munich's wonderkid Alphonso Davies. Stay tuned next week for our Fantasy Premier League preview!

The Champions League and Europe League are coming down to the wire, and a brand new season is only a couple of weeks away. Stand-up comedian, Soccer Comic Rant host, and Manchester United fan Ian Edwards joins First Touch to talk with Nate and Tyler about his favorite team, the Europa League final, and more. Plus, Lionel Messi transfer rumors, a debate about Manchester City building a state for David Silva, and a pitch profile on Tyler Adams. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and join the FTFC!

First Touch has reached 10 episodes, and Nate and Tyler haven't gotten sick of each other yet. Nate and Tyler celebrate the 10th episode with an interview with Christie Pearce-Rampone and her co-author, Dr. Kristine Keane. Their book "Be All In" comes out August 18th. Pitch Profile also returns with a deep-dive on the life of one of the greatest midfielders of all time in Croatia's Luka Modric. Plus, Nate's new favorite kit, Ronaldo transfer rumors, and a look at the new manager for Juventus.

European soccer is winding down..or is it? The Champions League is just a few days away, with the a few remaining Round of 16 games, following by a single-game format for the quarter finals and onward. Nate and Tyler take a look at the upcoming restart for the Champions League, plus an in-depth profile on America's newest superstar, Christian Pulisic. Be sure to tune in for a special announcement about next week's episode as well, and be sure to join the FTFC!

The Ballon D'or won't be awarded this year, so the First Touch Podcast decided to give out its own picks for the award. Nate and Tyler are joined by Bundesliga Borrelli to give their picks for the Ballon D'or, discussing frontrunners like Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robert Lewandowski, along with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Virgil Van Dijk, Kevin De Bruyne and others. Plus, an exciting scoop about who could potentially be Zlatan Ibrahimovic's next team, and Tyler reveals his new Serie A team thanks to the help of the FTFC listeners.

Promotions are an exciting time for teams and supporters, especially for the likes of Leeds United and the Wycombe Wanderers this year. Nate and Tyler discuss Leeds United's historic promotion, along with the prevalence of American ownership in European soccer, particularly in the Premier League. Plus, our new favorite player Adebayo Akinfenwa goes off about helping Wycombe get promoted into the Championship, and Lionel Messi continuing to break records.

VAR is a nightmare right now. After the Premier League's announcement that all three matches in a single day had an incorrect VAR decision, the video-assistant referee is once again under a big microscope. But how did VAR come to take soccer by storm, and how effective is it really at catching crucial mistakes? Nate and Tyler dig into VAR's recent mistakes in the Premier League, as well as the growing pains its experienced since its inception. Plus, an argument for Bruno Fernandes to win the Ballon D'or, and some interesting MLS updates.

When it comes to chants and songs, no sport can compete with soccer. Jamie Webster, the musician who has popularized so many of Liverpool's iconic chants and songs, joins the First Touch podcast to talk about the cultural impact of soccer. Webster also talks about his upcoming album, We Get By, and shares his favorite story of having a beer with Jurgen Klopp. Nate and Tyler also discuss some of the new kits being released, the transfer rumors surrounding Thiago Alcantara, and more. Special Guest: Jamie Webster.

Liverpool are Premier League champions. Major League Soccer is back. Life is good. Former MLS and USMNT defender Jimmy Conrad joins First Touch to talk about Major League Soccer's return to play, the future of USMNT's young stars, and his own personal development as a player. Plus, Nate and Tyler discuss the wild matches that led to Liverpool clinching their first title in 30 years, the return of Arjen Robben, and much more. Join the FTFC, subscribe and listen! Special Guest: Jimmy Conrad.

The Bundesliga has a serious Bayern problem. With eight straight league titles, Bayern Munich is now the "super Yankees" of soccer, making it hard for casual soccer fans to enjoy the Bundesliga. As young talent leaves other clubs and Bayern keeps dominating, how can other teams compete? Nate and Tyler are joined by Michael "Bundesliga" Borrelli to talk about the German league's problem with staying competitive due to Bayern Munich's dominance. Plus, a new Pub of the Week, Timo Werner's new home, a terrifying Ronaldo statue, and David Luiz being more incompetent than VAR.

The Premier League is finally back, and all feels right in the world. Nate and Tyler break down the Premier League's first matchweek back from hiatus, providing breakdowns of all 20 teams and predictions for the matches. That's not all that's covered, however. There's another update on FC Seoul's controversy in the Korean league, plus some updates from around the other European leagues. Be sure to listen, review and subscribe to join the FTFC.

Zoom calls? Crowd noises? Stadium full of sex dolls?? In the debut episode of First Touch, Nate and Tyler are joined by injury expert Will Carroll to talk about the COVID-19 era of soccer, how teams can engage their fans, and how players can stay safe. Join the #FTFC, and be sure to subscribe for future episodes. Special Guest: Will Carroll.