Stop Saying Soccer

Are we already starting to wrap up Liverpool's league title? What has happened in Manchester, both on the red and blue sides of town? Will Champions League and modern football destroy smaller cup competitions or does it enable teams like Dortmund to play a bigger role on the world stage? Should we contemplate Texas, not as an MLS market, but as a thing itself? And what of Chicago? Are we under Fire again after an off season of have-not's rather than have's in this trepidatious transfer market?

G&B welcome Phil from Black Fires on to the show to discuss the beautiful game both here in Chicago with the Fire and Red Stars and across MLS with the impending transfer of Chicharito to LA Galaxy. We muse over Rodolfo Pizzaro and Robert Berić linked with Chicago and continue our tradition of bringing in the global game citing examples from EPL, Ligue 1, and West Ham's inevitable relegation to bring it all together. This ones a big ol' burrito so settle in for 90+

Gerardo and Brant return for 90 minutes plus stoppage on this year's Boxing Day. We reflect on the existential crisis that is 7 games happening at the exact same time. In the process, we examine our past, digging into some content from two different Michael Cox books, "Zonal Marking" and "The Mixer" respectively. Ultimately, we discover the secret to success is playing in lower league English leagues while under house arrest and at some point having Claudio Ranieri coach your football team.

G&B dig into some Italian and not just pizza and penne but Atalanta in their Champions League upset. We cover the state of Soccernomics after 10 years - specifically as it relates to El Tri & Liga MX. We ponder Carlos Vela's supposed Barcelona interest and try to avoid the Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Kasper Dolberg in the 2017 Europa League. May we all find peace on earth, not just in the World Soccer Pod studio, but everywhere else deities named Christian play football.

The SSS pod returns with another 90+ min of analysis and recaps. Gerardo and Brant return just in time for the November International break. We talk Mexico U17's, USA vs Canada, England and Portugal's success and look forward to more Euro2020 and CONCACAF Nations League. Of course, we drop the big news in Chicago with a complete coaching staff and roster turnover happening this offseason. It's too much to cover in a recap but we manage to make a dent on this plate.

G & B get right down to it, chewing into the delicious new MLS cup format, recapping Brant's time in France moonlighting as a PSG Ultra, Gerardo's undying love for Carlos Vela's hair and another insane finish as we wrap up MLS while getting into the thick of the European season.

Gerardo and Brant drop the Italian Beef and dig in with a solid two hour 'cast that covers everything from Neymar to the end of pay to play in North America. This cast is a big plate to digest. Think of it as a beef with both hot and sweet peppers, cheese fries and a large shake. Gerardo talks Mexico, Brant brings hot takes re: Liverpool vs Sheffield United, we dig into some English League Cup analysis and we uncover another (unfortunately untrue) hot dish from the Chicago Fire rumor buffet. Bring a fork.

Gerardo and Brant dig into the current state of the Premier League, La Liga, the closing transfer window in Europe and provide some predictions for the upcoming international break. Unfortunately, No Italian Beefs were harmed during the filming of this episode. No one really understands the mysteries of the universe but we get close to figuring it out with the Michelada.

Gerardo and Brant dig into the first week of action with European leagues kicking off, MLS and Liga MX matching up in the CONCACAF Champions League, we talk Italian Beefs, Vienna Beefs, Lincoln Yards, Chicago Fire's move downtown and more.