The USMNT roster is here for World Cup qualifying, and it’s time to react to it on Episode 62. The roster was released this morning, and we go through it to highlight who Gregg Berhalter called in and who was not included. There were several players who were included on this roster that did not make it in the September window: Paul Arriola, Tim Weah, Gyasi Zardes, Luca de la Torre, Matthew Hoppe, Shaq Moore, Yunus Musah, Chris Richards, and Gianluca Busio. While Gio Reyna and Christian Pulisic were not included due to injury, Jordan Pefok, Josh Sargent, Ethan Horvath, and Konrad de la Fuente were also left off the roster. There are also others who were not on either roster that fans may think should have been brought into camp. We discuss it all briefly on this episode. We close out this episode with a personal tribute to Martin Huschka, an inspirational young boy in the American soccer family who passed away late last week due to complications from a neurodegenerative disorder that was so rare, there have been only 14 cases worldwide. I tell the story of Martin’s journey, what he meant to me and why he is the strongest boy that I’ve ever met. Martin is going to be missed by so many, but the joy that he shared is something that will remain in the hearts of all who were blessed to meet him or be inspired through his story. If you are so inclined to also pay tribute to Martin’s memory, his family requests that you make a donation to Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit, Angela Hospice, or Rainbow Connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stars and Stripes FC: for fans of USA soccer

#62 - MNT World Cup qualifying roster released

Now that the international break is over, it was a good time to discuss the World Cup qualifying matches that have occurred for the United States Men’s National Team. On the previous episode, we did a deep dive into the 3 matches, complete with an interview with Eric Schmitz of the World of Concacaf Podcast. On Episode 61, we dip into the mailbag to answer some of your questions about the three matches and what’s to come for the USMNT. We have questions about the tactics of Gregg Berhalter, from why he decided to play Tyler Adams on the right against Honduras to what he needs to do in order to get the team to play at its highest level. We also discuss what the striker depth chart should look like as we move forward. Finally, we get into the real questions about food and beverages that were amazing in San Salvador, Nashville, and San Pedro Sula. We’ll be back next week with a new episode, but we will do another mailbag soon! Email any questions to SSFC Podcast at Gmail dot com, or on Twitter you can submit them using the hashtag #SSFCPodcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#61 - Digging into the WCQ mailbag

The first three matches of World Cup qualifying are in the books for the United States Men’s National Team, and we recap it all on Episode 60 of the SSFC Podcast! The USMNT are currently in 2nd place in the Octagonal standings after a draw at El Salvador, a home draw against Canada, and a comeback win on the road at Honduras. I was in the building for all 3 matches, and we break down all the ups and downs from the window. First, I give my take on what it was like to be in the stands for all 3 matches and how we played from that vantage point. Of course, there are topics that we dive into while discussing those matches, like the amazing reception we received from fans in San Salvador, Weston McKennie being removed from the team for violating team protocols, and even pushing back on disrespectful rhetoric surrounding the match in Honduras. After the break, I welcome Eric Schmitz, co-host of the World of Concacaf Podcast, to the show to get his take on the three matches. He also traveled to each match and I ask him about his experiences not just traveling to El Salvador and Honduras but also his experience hosting the nation in Nashville for the match against Canada. He also breaks down the art that is Power Chicken, so you don’t want to miss that! Don’t forget to subscribe to the SSFC Podcast, and 5-star ratings and reviews are very helpful! On Sunday, we will have a mailbag episode, so stay tuned for that as well! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#60 - World Cup qualifying recap, World of Concacaf interview

The Octagon is here! On Episode 59, we dive into the start of World Cup qualifying for the United States Men’s National Team, and we’re excited about the week to come! First, we analyze the roster and where there could be some rotation for the USMNT. We have a legit goalkeeper competition, and the question will be who gets the start on Thursday against El Salvador, Sunday against Canada, and next Wednesday against Honduras. We also have a couple of guys on this roster that were not on the Nations League roster or the Gold Cup roster, Ricardo Pepi and Konrad de la Fuente. We’re excited about them as well. Finally, while Tim Weah had to withdraw from the roster due to an injury he suffered with Lille, Christian Pulisic has been cleared from his positive Covid-19 diagnosis and is in camp. After the break, we go through the schedule, looking quickly at the teams that we will play during this window: on the road at El Salvador and Honduras and hosting Canada in Nashville. It should be a fun week, but the hard work begins now for our national team! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#59 - World Cup qualifying begins!

Concacaf has launched a couple new women’s competitions, and we take a look at how they are set up on Episode 58. The USWNT will embark on World Cup qualifying next summer, as they compete in the Concacaf W Championship. That tournament will also serve as qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics and will also give one team an automatic spot in the other new tournament, the W Gold Cup. The USWNT’s path to the 2023 World Cup hasn’t changed much, but with the expanded World Cup field, it has become slightly easier. We examine how it has changed for them. In any case, next summer has become super important for the USWNT, as they will seek to qualify for the two major tournaments on the FIFA women’s calendar in one shot: the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. We also examine how this changes things for the other teams that also have dreams of qualifying for either the World Cup, the Olympics, or the new W Gold Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#58 - Concacaf introduces W Championship, W Gold Cup

We’re back with Episode 57, and this is a funny one. We are joined this week by Alexis Guerreros and Christian Polanco. These two comedians form the dynamic duo The Cooligans, and they have created their own lane that mixes soccer news with stand up comedy. They have a TV show that airs Thursday nights on Fubo Sports Network, they have a podcast, and have been able to mix the funny with the soccer in a way that no one else on this side of the pond dares try. But, on top of it, they’re fans of the game and that inspires them to talk about it in the best way. We start the interview with how The Cooligans came to form, and how they focus on being funny over bringing the stats to a conversation. They also get into how they’ve been able to interview so many athletes and how that shapes how they view the game. We also discuss the summer for the USMNT and the USWNT and the excitement they have for American soccer as a whole. We then get into some soccer-adjacent topics, like the best pizza outside of New York/New Jersey, jersey swag, and who inspires their comedy. It’s a fun interview that is certain to make you laugh at times, but you will also be able to feel their emotion at times as they discuss their love for the game! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#57 - The Cooligans are here!

The SSFC Podcast is back after a month of travel for the Gold Cup, and Episode 56 recaps the month of July and early August for both the USMNT and the USWNT! First, we discuss the Gold Cup for the USMNT, who worked hard to win their second trophy over rivals Mexico this summer. We go through the entire road to the Gold Cup championship and we discuss some of the players who could factor into World Cup qualifying when it begins next month. After the break, we get into the Olympics for the USWNT, who got a bronze medal instead of the gold they were coveting. We discuss where they slipped up along the way and how they recovered to win bronze in Tokyo. We also discuss what they need to do in order to turn the page to World Cup qualifying, which will begin next year. This week will be a double episode week (we have to catch up!), so look for a new episode on Thursday afternoon. It will be a fun interview that you won’t want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#56 - Gold Cup champions, Olympic bronze medalists

The United States Women’s National Team have an Olympic roster, and we break it all down on Episode 55 of the SSFC Podcast. The USWNT have 18 players and 4 alternates headed to Tokyo, and we go through the roster to discuss who made the team and who was on the outside looking in. We also get into a couple of questions surrounding this roster, most notably on a player that was left off the team as well as whether a couple of players who made the roster will be 100% by the time the tournament begins. After the break, we get into the USMNT. The 23-man Gold Cup roster will be released tomorrow, and we go through the provisional roster to see which players would make interesting picks for head coach Gregg Berhalter. As always, subscribe to the podcast and tell your friends about it as well! SSFC Podcast at Gmail dot com is the email address for any questions or topic suggestions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#55 - WNT Olympic roster, MNT Gold Cup roster predictions

Today is Juneteenth, and with it being a day of celebration and commemoration, it’s also a day of education for those who don’t know the significance of the holiday to Black people and to American history. So, on Episode 54, we channel the education on Black American soccer history with a crosspost episode! We’re honored to use our platform to re-air the first episode of the Can I Kick It FC Podcast, which debuted a year ago today. Co-hosts Elliot Barr (who appeared on Episode 42 during Black History Month) and Chenier Durand II take the floor and debut this podcast with a USMNT legend, DaMarcus Beasley. Follow them on Twitter, and do subscribe to the podcast. It’s a favorite of ours and it’s one where you will learn something new every single episode. We also encourage you to take some time today to educate yourself on the history behind Juneteenth, what it means for Black Americans, and really how it fits in the American history books. We highly encourage you to support a black-owned business or charity. There are plenty out there, so find one in your community and show it some love. We hope you have a wonderful Juneteenth, and may we always commemorate through education, support, and the celebration of our nation’s Black people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#54 - Juneteenth Crossover w/ Can I Kick It FC Podcast!

It’s been a wild window, but we are back with Episode 53 of the SSFC Podcast! We recap the USMNT window that just finished, which was capped by a win over Mexico to win the Concacaf Nations League. The USMNT lost on the road to Switzerland 2-1, but they came back to win 1-0 against Honduras, 3-2 after extra time against Mexico, and 4-0 in a friendly against Costa Rica. We focus mainly on the Nations League matches and just everything that we saw during those two matches. It was as Concacaf-y of a tournament as Concacaf has ever had. It had it all - time wasting, fights, VAR disallowing goals, VAR allowing 2 penalties, a penalty save, mistakes, and above all energy and passion. And, the USMNT displayed the fight and tenacity that many fans have been waiting for a long time to see. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! We’re going to try and land a guest for next week to discuss the Octagon, as we’ll know then which final 3 teams will be in with the USMNT, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Honduras this fall! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#53 - USMNT are Nations League champions!

The USMNT has a 27-player roster for their upcoming friendly against Switzerland on May 30th. Gregg Berhalter just released the roster this morning and we do a quick reaction to some of the names on this list. Of course, some names are off this list, like Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen (Champions League final), and Aaron Long and Jordan Morris (injury). Despite injuries, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie made the roster. We’ll see who else will form the final 23 when it is submitted on May 24th. Justin Che and Matthew Hoppe get their first crack at the senior national team, while the team also welcomes back guys like Julian Green and DeAndre Yedlin. Who from this roster will make the plane to Denver? We’ll find out in just a few days. Remember to subscribe, and rate and review 5 stars if you are so inclined. SSFC Podcast at Gmail dot com is where you should send questions or topic suggestions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#52 - MNT roster released for Switzerland friendly

The 2021 Gold Cup schedule has finally arrived...took Concacaf long enough! We go through it on Episode 51 of the SSFC Podcast. First, we talk about how Concacaf completely bungled the announcement of this Gold Cup schedule, including releasing the list of venues without dates or who would be playing there. Less than 2 months before the start of the tournament, we finally learn where teams will be playing, which is making fans scramble to make summer plans. The USMNT has a home base for the group stage this summer, and that base is Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, home of Sporting Kansas City. From there, they could go to the Dallas Cowboys’ home, AT&T Stadium, either of Q2 Stadium (Austin FC) or NRG Stadium (Houston Texans), with the final taking place on August 1st at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Subscribing helps, rating and reviewing helps, but your support is greatly appreciated! SSFC Podcast at Gmail dot com is the place to send all questions or topic suggestions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#51 - Gold Cup schedule announced

The UEFA Champions League Final is set, and Chelsea FC and Manchester City will take the field in Istanbul to see who will be crowned European champions. However, two Pennsylvanians from the USMNT, Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen, will compete to see which of them will become only the 2nd USMNT player to win a Champions League. On Episode 50, we discuss the matchup and also quickly look at some of the USMNT and USWNT players that have competed in the Champions League Final and took home winners’ medals. Christian Pulisic or Zack Steffen will be added to that list on May 29th, and it’s great for the American game to see those players on the verge of winning one of the most prestigious trophies in the world’s game. Don’t forget, subscribe, tell your friends, and if you have topic suggestions or ideas for guests you wish to hear from, send an email to SSFC Podcast at Gmail dot com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#50 - Two Americans in the Champions League Final!

Jesse Marsch is off to RB Leipzig, as he was announced yesterday as their next coach, replacing Julian Nagelsmann. On Episode 49, we do a quick reaction to Marsch’s move from Salzburg to Leipzig and how his path through the Red Bull system has put him in the position he seeked when he left the New York Red Bulls: a head coaching job with a big time club in Europe. We also dip into the pathway for American coaches to run clubs in Europe. Currently, there are a few, but while the focus has been on getting players to Europe, pathways need to be discovered that give more American coaches the opportunity to do the same. Still, there will be 2 American coaches in the Bundesliga next season, and hopefully more opportunities will emerge at clubs in some of the major European leagues where Americans will get a chance to succeed. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review, and please email SSFC Podcast at Gmail dot com if you have topic suggestions or questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#49 - Jesse Marsch becomes RB Leipzig coach

The European Super League shook the pillars of the soccer world, so it's only right that we begin with that discussion on Episode 48! The Super League has come and gone, but it's still a good time to break down what it was really all about: money. On both sides. There were no good guys in this dispute, and it's only going to maintain until the adults enter the room and try to figure out what makes the most sense for everyone. We gotta keep the same energy on trying to link it to MLS or any other facet of American soccer that we don't like, because Europe is using those facets as inspiration for what they're trying to do: get as much money as possible and keep the majority of the pile. After the break, the USWNT learn their Olympic draw, and of course Sweden is in the group. The best team in the world also draw the two 2023 World Cup co-hosts, Australia and New Zealand. It should be a difficult group, but if you're going to get a gold medal, it was never going to be easy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#48 - European Super League fails, WNT Olympic draw

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