Quality Service

Tom is joined by Chris Keller, the co-owner of Brooklyn's preeminent soccer bar (and Quality Service's home base) Banter, to discuss its origins, the evolution of the game in America, and the growth of soccer-centric pubs. If you're ever looking for a place to catch a match in New York, you know where to go. Learn more about Banter: http://banterbrooklyn.com/ Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

Tom and Aaron reflect on the USMNT's humiliating 3-0 loss to arch-rivals Mexico, and discuss the institutional impediments within the U.S. Soccer Federation -- from uninspired hires (see: Berhalter, Gregg) to a stubborn refusal to "Euro-ify" the American program. Then Aaron, our resident Australian, offers a helpful point of comparison by considering the Socceroos' own struggles to develop a rich footballing culture. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

Quality Service returns as Tom and Aaron make sense of Eric Cantona's batshit speech and dissect this week's Champions League draw. Will any of the powerhouses be threatened? Who has the toughest group? And which club is facing more pressure to win it this year: Juventus or Manchester City? Then, the boys turn their fire on the very bad idea to form a European super league. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

Can Liverpool overtake Manchester City? Can Arsenal get top four? Could Manchester United fall outside the top six? Who will win the Golden Boot and player of the year? Tom and Aaron are joined by Deadspin staff writer Luis Paez-Pumar to answer all of these questions -- as well as some that nobody thought to ask -- in this very special Premier League preview. Follow Luis on Twitter (@lppny) and check out his excellent soccer coverage at Deadspin (https://kinja.com/luispaezpumar). Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

Aaron Timms joins Tom once again to revel in Arsenal's blockbuster acquisition of Nicolas Pepe.The two discuss where the transfer ranks among the club's other recent signings, and evaluate some of the other rumored moves around Europe. Then, the boys shift their gaze stateside to talk about this week's much-maligned response from the U.S. Soccer Federation to the USWNT's equal pay lawsuit. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

After overcoming the technical difficulties that forced us to scrap an episode last week, Quality Service returns with a visit from old friend Aaron Timms, who joined Tom to talk about Gareth Bale's legacy at Real Madrid and the summer transfer activity. The two close the episode with a discussion about the rape allegation brought against Cristiano Ronaldo, and how the rich and powerful so often evade accountability. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

Quality Service squad player John Balnaves (aka "The Contrarian") returns to the podcast to offer up some ideas on how to improve VAR, and to recap the summer transfer window so far. Then, he and Tom briefly look ahead to the ever-approaching Premier League season. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

Jessie Losch, a contributor to the feminist soccer website Unusual Efforts, joins Tom to talk about the U.S. women's team's triumph at the World Cup and their fight for equal pay, the growth of the women's game in Europe and (hopefully) South America, and the conservative outrage over Megan Rapinoe. Follow Jessie on Twitter (@JessieLosch) and be sure to check out the work of the "Effortistas" (www.unusualefforts.com). Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

Journalist and British expat Matt McDonald (@mattjpfmcdonald) joins Tom to talk about this summer's World Cup, his newfound love of women's soccer and the growth of the game in Europe, the fantastic US-England match and why he was a bit triggered by Alex Morgan's delightful tea cup celebration. Get over it, Matt! Have a Happy Fourth of July. USA! USA! USA! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

SB Nation's Zito Madu joins the podcast on a soccer-filled Sunday afternoon at Banter, where he discussed his family's immigration to the U.S. from Nigeria and his former life as a professional footballer. He also chatted with Tom about this summer's World Cup, why the women's game has gained traction in America but not in other soccer-obsessed nations, and the rolling calamity that is VAR. Follow Zito on Twitter (@_Zeets) and read his story that we discussed on the podcast (https://www.sbnation.com/2017/9/5/16231462/soccer-immigration-united-states). Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). Music by Atlantic Thrills

In the final leg of their Iberian odyssey, Tom and Jonathan head to Estádio do Dragão in Porto for the final of the inaugural Nations League, where they captured the sounds of Portugal's second title in three years, talked to fans and reflected on their adventure. Thank you for following along with us on this incredible journey, and thank you to all the wonderful fans we met on the way. Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Opening song: "Acid Rain" by Atlantic Thrills Closing song: "A minha Casinha" by Xutos e Pontapés

On match day in Guimarães, Tom and Jonathan traverse the old city, soaking up the atmosphere generated by the tens of thousands of English fans who showed up for the Nations League semifinal. But they also managed to find a couple Dutch supporters, one of whom shared a delightful story about his time in Tom's native South Dakota. Then, the boys make their way to the stadium, where they captured all the sounds from the Netherlands' 3-1 comeback victory over the Three Lions. Follow the podcast's journey on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). And stay tuned for more episodes documenting their trip. Still more to come! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Music by Atlantic Thrills

Tom and Jonathan arrive in the medieval Portuguese town of Guimarães ahead of today's Nations League semi-final between England and The Netherlands. After watching the first semi between the hosts and Switzerland at São Tiago Square(in the shadow of an old church that just so happened to start ringing its bells after Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal), the boys are introduced to a group of English lads who drove more than 30 hours to Madrid for the Champions League final, and then pressed on to Portugal. Follow the podcast's journey on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). And stay tuned for more episodes documenting their trip. Much more to come! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com

What was it like to be in Madrid on the day Liverpool became champions of Europe for the sixth time? Listen for yourself. In a series of vignettes recorded over the course of 18 hours, Quality Series tells the story of the day that was: taking in the scenes from a balcony in the heart of the Spanish capital, wading through the trash and lads at Liverpool's fan fest, interacting with the supporters (including one very outnumbered Spurs fan), posting up at an intimate cantina with our friends from Banter, reacting to the match's extraordinary start, reveling in the Reds' glory. It's all there. Follow the podcast's journey on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). And stay tuned for more episodes documenting their trip. Much more to come! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Shout out to Dosaka, the fantastic cantina that hosted us (and dozens of Liverpool fans) on Saturday. Delicious food, great -- nay, QUALITY service. Check them out if you're in Madrid: https://www.cafeteriadosaka.com/?fbclid=IwAR1c6RVHY4lDICVhvrnPRQuMclgOhvnGM27qf1Oo2UDUPhey-GblI-ly2CA

New York Times chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith (@RorySmith) joins the podcast at Plaza de Santa Ana in Madrid to talk about his career, the recent accusations of the Times' pro-Liverpool bias, the potentially seismic shifts in European soccer and, of course, the Champions League final. Follow the podcast's journey on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). And stay tuned for more episodes documenting their trip. Much more to come! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Music by Atlantic Thrills

On the eve of the Champions League final, Tom and Jonathan meander their way through the Plaza Mayor, capturing the sounds and energy, and talking to Liverpool and Tottenham supporters who have come to Madrid from all over the world. Who's going to win tomorrow? Will Harry Kane play? And would a loss make this a disappointing season for Liverpool? It's all covered. Follow the boys' journey on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). And stay tuned for more episodes documenting their trip. Much more to come! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Music by Atlantic Thrills

Tom and Jonathan Carmody touch down in Madrid for the first leg of their European soccer odyssey. The two share a review of their in-flight movie while taking in the sights of the Spanish capital in their cab from the airport, bantering waywardly like a couple of jet-legged travelers. But there was no time for rest! In the evening, Tom and Jonathan make their way to an Irish pub -- a common attraction in Madrid -- to watch the Europa League final. Let's just not talk about that match, OK? Follow the boys' journey on Twitter (@QualityPod) and Instagram (@qualityservicepod). And stay tuned for more episodes documenting their trip. Much more to come! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Music by Atlantic Thrills

Is football "broken"? Doesn't seem like it, but Manchester City's dominance has certainly broken some brains. Jonathan Wilson at The Guardian wrote a pretty hysterical piece last week after City's demolition of Watford in the FA Cup final, lamenting how football is "broken" and that the big six clubs might as well just spin off their own European super league. Well, we dissent! Or at least Tom does. He was joined by Quality Service squad player Aaron Timms to discuss Wilson's column, City's stranglehold on the league, why the team doesn't generate as much goodwill as other historically great sides, and whether it's the end of the Premier League as we know it. Quality Service cup player Jonathan Carmody makes a cameo at the end to consider this tasty hypothetical -- what if the sheikhs had bought his beloved Newcastle rather than City? Oh, and all of this took place as the Championship playoff final unfolded in the background at Banter. Congrats to Aston Villa and Prince William. **PROGRAMMING ALERT** Quality Service will be broadcasting from Spain and Portugal for the next two weeks. Tom and Jonathan will be in Madrid during the Champions League final, and then will press on to Portugal to watch England and The Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League semi-final. They'll attend the final in Porto a few days later. Expect lots of sounds from the stadium and bars, interviews with fans, and other great conversations. Come along with us for the ride!Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Music by Atlantic Thrills Here are the articles we referenced on the show: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/19/manchester-city-sky-blue-smashing-of-watford-proves-football-is-broken https://deadspin.com/be-horrified-by-manchester-city-for-the-right-reasons-1834905230

Tom is joined at Banter by his friend John Balnaves, aka "The Chelsea Contrarian," who tries to make his case that David Luiz has "way better footballing ability" than Virgil van Dijk. Continuing the theme of contrarianism, John explains why the FA Cup is a more prestigious title than the Premier League. The episode also features some less scorching takes, such as why Americans need to embrace soccer as a community-based sport, what the country needs to do to produce more Christian Pulisic and how Freddy Adu was stunted by a flawed system. Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Music by Atlantic Thrills

Well, for a minute there it really looked like Liverpool was going to do it. But alas, a Premier League title race for the ages ended in familiar fashion, with the imperious Manchester City once again crowned champions of England. Anticlimactic or not, Tom was at Banter to capture the festive scenes on the season's final day where he was joined by Quality Service regulars Jonathan Carmody and Aaron Timms. The three kept their eyes on all the action while discussing whether Liverpool would have preferred the Premier League or Champions League, whether Arsenal fans would trade the club's last three FA Cups for what Tottenham have already accomplished this season, and whether Pep Guardiola is a glory hunter. Liverpool fans may want to fast-forward to the 11:39 mark to re-live the pandemonium following Brighton's opening goal over City and just pretend that nothing else came after that. Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Music by Atlantic Thrills

Tom is joined at Banter by Brendan O'Connor (@_grendan), a diehard Tottenham fan and a journalist who covers the far-right, for a discussion on the roots of fascism in soccer, as well as its creeping presence in America's own domestic league (namely at NYC FC home matches). While a nine-man Spurs team battled Bournemouth in the background, the two also discuss the pros and cons of VAR, what comes next for Tottenham, whether this will go down as Brendan's favorite season as a supporter and why cheering for a club like Manchester City would be boring. Here's a link to the HuffPost story about the fascist group that has shown up at NYC FC matches, which was written by Bob Silverman: https://urlzs.com/8HhC Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Music by Atlantic Thrills

Unable to contain their sizzling takes to merely one episode, Tom and Aaron Timms continue their conversation at Banter. With Manchester City battling Burnley in the background, they take on Alexi Lalas' vapid defense of MLS and recount the time Bob Bradley sent Aaron an angry email. Then, the boys make their case for why Virgil van Dijk is the player of the year in the Premier League. Yes, this was recorded before he actually won the award. Get over it. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Music by Atlantic Thrills

Tom returns to Banter in Williamsburg, where he is joined by fellow Gooner, friend and writer Aaron Timms (@aarontimms) for a Premier League triple-header: Leicester / Arsenal, Burnley / Man City, and Man United / Chelsea. The two watch Arsenal collapse away from home once again, and discuss how far their beloved club has fallen. And speaking of diminished stature, Aaron offers his assessment on Manchester United's appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjær as manager (hint: he doesn't rate Ole). Then, the boys GO IN on a desperate media narrative asserting that, ACTUALLY, this incredibly absorbing title race between Manchester City and Liverpool isn't all that great. Contrarianism has gone too far, folks. Read the stories discussed on the podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/26/sports/premier-league-liverpool-manchester-city.html https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-title-race-epl-table-man-city-liverpool-points-form-anti-climax-records-who-will-win-a8887096.html https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/apr/26/luis-suarez-interview-barcelona-liverpool-any-player-join Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Music by Atlantic Thrills

It's hard to feel too sorry for Manchester City fans these days, even after the team's gut-wrenching exit from Champions League last week. But spare a little sympathy for the New York Sky Blues, whose members include some supporters with memories of City competing in the third tier. The Sky Blues have been around for more than a decade now, first gathering for City matches at the now-shuttered Mad Hatter Saloon before relocating last year to Amity Hall in Greenwich Village, where Tom met up with them on a rainy Saturday morning for the team's 1-0 victory over Tottenham. Tom chatted with four American-born supporters about how they fell in love with City. For one, it was an homage to Johnny Marr; for another, it was a way to re-discover his familial roots. They also discussed that wild Champions League match, City's epic title race with Liverpool and the divide between supporters who remember the lean years and those who only associate the team with trophies. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Music by Atlantic Thrills

Marcelo Bielsa has orchestrated a renaissance at Leeds United, and fans are dreaming of promotion to the Premier League. But the New York Whites, NYC's largest Leeds supporters group, never lost the faith. Year after year, they have gathered at the Football Factory in midtown, hoping against hope that this illustrious club could restore its former glory. The Whites met there again on Saturday to watch Leeds inch closer to the Premiership with a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Tom chatted with some of their members about this magical season, how Bielsa is the Velvet Underground of soccer coaches, and why Leeds supporters are a different breed. Promotion, like winter, is coming. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Music by Atlantic Thrills

FC Cincinnati has only been a thing for a few years, but the club -- embarking on its inaugural season in MLS -- has already gained one of the most impressive followings in all of American soccer. Case in point: Auxilia One, aka "the City Rats", Cincy's first official supporters club in New York City. The Rats (@AuxiliaOne) meet at Banter in Williamsburg, where Tom caught up with them last weekend to watch the team's 1-1 draw against Sporting KC. There, he met with Auxilia One founder and Cincinnati native Mitchell Matacia and his girlfriend, Federica Borlenghi, who grew up in the shadow of the San Siro in Milan. The three discussed the origins of Auxilia One, how U.S. soccer culture compares with Italy and why FC Cincinnati has inspired a more passionate following in the community than the Bengals or the Reds. Was there a roasting of MLS-Euro cosplay? You know it! Sorry, but Real Salt Lake is an abomination. Ditto Sporting KC. And don't get us started about INTER MIAMI. UGH. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow the show on Twitter: @qualitypod Music by Atlantic Thrills

Saturday didn't go according to plan for Borussia Dortmund, as the young German side suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Bundesliga rulers Bayern Munich. But for Brooklyn Borussen, NYC's first official Dortmund supporters club, it was a banner day. The group took over Banter, blanketing the bar in black and yellow. Tom caught a bus to the bar, where he met Tilo, a Berlin native who started the group earlier this year, and chatted with a Vermont-born Dortmund fan who fell in love with the team the American way: by playing FIFA on PlayStation. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Heck, follow the show on Twitter, too: @qualitypod Music by Atlantic Thrills

Re-live one of the most consequential matches of the Premier League season, as Tom and Quality Service regular Jonathan Carmody take the bus to Banter in Williamsburg for Sunday's pulsating contest between Liverpool and Tottenham. Surrounded by hordes of Spurs and Reds supporters, the two discuss this season's epic title race, while taking in the dramatic scenes at Anfield -- Roberto Firmino's opener for Liverpool, Lucas Moura's equalizer for Tottenham, and the last gasp winner for the current league leaders. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Music by Atlantic Thrills

The Gregg Berhalter era has arrived, and to get in the spirit, Tom and Quality Service returning champion Adaer head to their beloved local Banter for the USMNT's friendly against Ecuador. While the U.S. was grinding out a 1-0 victory, Tom and Adaer discussed their concerns about Christian Pulisic, the merits of Jurgen Klinsmann's managerial tenure, and why the Berhalter hire left them a bit cold. USMNT enthusiast Will Strickland (@theverbalnutmeg) then joins the show to tell Tom why he's wrong about Berhalter and even wronger about Klinsmann. This is a fair and balanced podcast, folks. Gotta hear both sides! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Music by Atlantic Thrills

Against all better judgment, Tom and his buddy Jonathan ventured into Manhattan on St. Patrick's Day weekend -- for some hot La Liga action, naturally. The two went to the Playwright Irish Pub to watch Zinedine Zidane's grand return to the Bernabéu alongside members of one of the largest Real Madrid supporters groups in the world, Peña Madridista NYC (@MadridistasNYC). The group's members include longtime music journalist John Norris (@Jonnynono), who chatted with Tom about Madrid's season from hell, who he hopes the team signs in the summer, how Real and Atletico Madrid parallel the New York Yankees and Mets, and what he made of Cristiano Ronaldo's heroics last week for Juventus. Unfortunately, John didn't have any stories about talking soccer with Kurt Loder or other MTV News personalities. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Music by Atlantic Thrills

On a Premier League Saturday when relegation candidates rose to the occasion, Tom returns to Banter where he takes in Newcastle United's dramatic comeback win over Everton with a pair of Magpies supporters: his buddy Jonathan, who fell in love with the Toon despite growing up in Southampton, and Deepak, a Newcastle fan from London visiting New York on business. The three discuss the disappointment of the Mike Ashley era, the sense of dread that comes from being a Newcastle supporter, and the team's improved form since acquiring MLS expat Miguel Almirón. Jonathan also explains why he always supports English clubs in the Champions League, and divulges a dark ritual from his childhood to cope with Newcastle's failures. Tom, meanwhile, can't contain his delight when Southampton storms back to beat Tottenham. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Music by Atlantic Thrills

A soccer-filled Saturday continues as Tom and Adaer decamp from Banter to The Football Factory in Manhattan for the New York Red Bulls' season opener -- but not before Tom chats with a shit-faced Frenchman still getting acquainted with MLS. And not before Adaer reminds the NYC FC contingent in attendance of the Red Bulls' famous 7-0 victory at Yankee Stadium. On the cab ride over to Manhattan, Tom and Adaer talk about why NYC FC has had more success cultivating a following in the city. But it's all love in this episode for RBNY and its amazing supporters, like Jennifer, who told Tom about making the drive from Philadelphia to Giants Stadium to see the team play. Or Brent, a capo in the Empire Supporters Club who shared his philosophy behind writing the songs that are sung at Red Bull Arena. Vamos Metro! Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Music by Atlantic Thrills

Tom returns to Banter for the North London Derby, where he is joined by friend and fellow Gooner Adaer. A first half Arsenal goal has the two dreaming of St. Totteringham's Day, but the fantasy ends when Spurs are gifted a penalty after the linesman misses a blatant offside and Harry Kane helps his side secure a draw. (Can we get VAR now, please?). After getting pissy about Tottenham supporters singing on the other side of the bar, Adaer discusses why the rivalry will never mean as much to American-born soccer fans. Tom also chats with an Arsenal fan from Guinea who fell in love with the club after watching France triumph in the 1998 World Cup, and who has witnessed the game's evolution in the U.S. over the last decade. Apologies to Spurs supporters, who were deliberately excluded from this episode; you're all welcome to come on the show once the bad taste from this draw dissipates. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Music by Atlantic Thrills

In the inaugural episode of "Quality Service," Tom ventures to beloved Brooklyn soccer bar Banter for Sunday's big showdown between Manchester United and Liverpool, where he chats with supporters of both clubs about how they fell in love with the game, what it used to be like to follow soccer in the U.S., why waking up early for matches is better than waiting all day for kickoff, and whether it's OK for American fans to do chants in an affected British accent (it is not). There was also some discussion about the cagey 0-0 draw that played out at Old Trafford, but frankly, that match was pretty underwhelming. Email the show: qualityservicepod@gmail.com Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomkludt Music by Atlantic Thrills