Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ...

Scuffed's Adam Belz discusses what several members of the USMNT need to do to improve their game, make the next step, or take the initial plunge to increase both their individual ability AND overall standing with Gregg Berhalter. We also talk ideal landing spots for exciting prospects, strengths and vulnerabilities of making too big a jump too quickly, and how one position that seems secure in the depth chart is possibly anything but.Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by...The Athletic! Get 40% off an annual subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccerPolicy Genius! if you need life insurance, let Policygenius help get you started. You could save $1500 or more a year by comparing quotes on their marketplaceManscaped! Get 20% off plus free shipping at Manscaped.com with code TSS20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toronto FC's Justin Morrow joins the show to discuss the Black Players for Change organization, his overall experience at the MLS is Back tournament, and what happens next for both the league and the BPC. Sponsors! Today's episode is brought to you by...The Athletic! Get 40% off an annual subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccerHelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/80tss and use code 80tss to get a total of $80 off, including free shipping on your first box.Manscaped! Get 20% off plus free shipping at Manscaped.comwith code TSS20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our old pal Luke Moore returns to the show to discuss the FA Cup Final. Could Lampard have turned things around when Arsenal went ahead, how good has Pulisic been since the restart, and which players in the squad have had the strongest response to Mikel Arteta's managerial takeover (there's also a quick chat about the players that have done the opposite... which is to say we talk about Mesut Ozil). We also look at what Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Everton need to do in the transfer window to be prepared for the next campaign, and there's even some Champions League chat at the very end. Sponsors!The Athletic! Get 40% off an annual subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccerManscaped! Get 20% off plus free shipping at Manscaped.com with code TSS20Policy Genius! if you need life insurance, let Policygenius help get you started. You could save $1500 or more a year by comparing quotes on their marketplace.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Carl Anka returns to TSS to provide a deep-dive review of Southampton's season: how they went from the relegation zone to comfortably mid-table survival, Ralph Hasenhuttl's unintentional nickname, and where Weston McKennie might (or might not) fit in with the squad. After that, there's plenty of Manchester United conversation, including who they should be pursuing in the transfer window and how to solve a problem like de Gea. SPONSORS!40% off a subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccerFree online visit and free two-day shipping via GetRoman.com/TSSGo to HeyArtifact.com and use code TSS for $40 off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your intrepid hosts begin by discussing the latest results in the MLS is Back tournament, as well as the reality of European scouts hungrily waiting to take every fit player away from the Philadelphia Union. But with the knockout rounds in full swing and many young players performing well, why aren't the TV ratings improving? What the low viewership means for MLS in its present incarnation, and what the league can do moving forward to get more eyes on screens.SPONSORS!Get a free online consultation at ForHims.com/totalsoccerEDInterested in advertising with The Athletic? Visit TheAthletic.com/podcastads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Lowery of MLS Assist returns to the show to preview the tournament quarterfinals by taking a look at each team, what they've done well and where they might be vulnerable. There's also plenty of conversation about the teams that have already been eliminated, emerging USMNT prospects, most tactically adept coaches in the league... and DC United is somewhere in there as well. Sigh.SPONSORS!40% off a subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccerGet a free online consultation at ForHims.com/totalsoccerEDInterested in advertising with The Athletic? Visit TheAthletic.com/podcastads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a listener question special, where we get into [deep breath ... ] the USMNT's new schedule, whether or not Gio Reyna should start right now, the new Diego Chara, assembling an international team in Europe, fringe USWNT players who impressed at the NWSL Challenge Cup, how to name MLS teams, the best center-back pairing in USMNT history, why Ligue 1 isn't a popular destination for Americans, Ayo Akinola's international future, and how to spend a million dollars on the future of American soccer.SPONSORS!40% off a subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccer7-day free trial for FuboTV via Fubo.tv/TSSFree online visit and free two-day shipping via GetRoman.com/TSS20% off plus free shipping when you use TSS20 at Manscaped.comInterested in advertising with The Athletic? Visit TheAthletic.com/podcastads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan and Taylor discuss their 20 biggest takeaways from the Premier League season that was, including Frank Lampard getting it mostly right at Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola utilizing stability to get results, Bruno Fernandes being the hero that we all deserve, and Watford's "let's hire a new manager every few weeks" approach not quite working out.SPONSORS!Get 40% off an annual subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccerFubo! Start your free, 7 day trial at Fubo.TV/TSSArtifact! Go to HeyArtifact.com and use code TSS for $40 offTo explore advertising options with The Athletic, go to TheAthletic.com/podcastads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big show! For the first hour or so, we answer multiple quick-fire questions about the final day of the Premier League. What happened to Leicester? What next for Aston Villa? Who benefited most from the break before Project Restart? Did Jose over-celebrate? Why is there such a gap between the top two and everyone else?  Can Christian Pulisic improve? You know, those kind of questions.Then, starting at precisely 1:19:58, we review the NWSL Challenge Cup Final, detailing how Houston Dashed the hopes of the Chicago Red Stars.SPONSORS!Get 40% off an annual subscription to The Athletic via TheAthletic.com/totalsoccerGet 20% off plus free shipping at Manscaped.com with code TSS20Get a $100 gift if you refinance your student loan via Earnest.com/TSSGet a free online visit and free two-day shipping via GetRoman.com/TSSTo explore advertising options with The Athletic, go to TheAthletic.com/podcastads  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3:50 - What's going wrong with Atlanta United and the LA Galaxy, and can their respective current coaches fix the issues?19:12 - Commiserations to the the New York Red Bulls, who have been eliminated, and credit to Jaap Stam and FC Cincinnati, who have not.27:00 - Let's talk positives! Columbus are good, and so are Portland28:48 - Breaking down the bracket with longer looks at San Jose, Seattle, LAFC, and more50:22 - Mailbag time! Answering your MLS is Back-related questions.Sponsors! Today's show is brought to you by Fubo! Start your free, 7 day trial at Fubo.TV/TSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.