The Yanks Are Coming Soccer Show

As we look back at the semifinal we defend Jill Ellis, take Phil Neville to task and laid the effort of The USWNT going forward. Looking ahead to the Final we say don’t sleep on the European Champion Dutch, they’re a real threat to USWNT.

Neil and Kartik look back at the USWNT’s glorious 2-1 win over host France in the quarterfinals and look ahead to a tough test against England in the semifinals. We also talk about what makes the Netherlands so dangerously good at this tournament.

Neil Blackmon returns from two weeks at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to join Kartik Krishnaiyer previewing the France v USA Quarterfinal. We ask the key tactical questions for both managers going into an epic clash and also ponder has a France side historically so underwhelming in the biggest matches finally about to get over that hump?

Neil and Kartik look back at the first weekend of the Women’s World Cup, the US U-20 run and spend a lot of time pondering macro questions about the US men’s national team program.

Neil Blackmon shares his legal expertise on the USWNT lawsuit against the USSF.

Part 2 of Kartik and Neil’s USWNT discussion

Neil and Kartik discuss post She Believes Cup #USWNT thoughts

Neil and Kartik break down the discussions around Fort Lauderdale’s Lockhart Stadium. Will new MLS entry Inter Miami CF gain control of the historic ground or will it be FXE Futbol who promises retail space and a USL Championship club?

The Guys sit down this week with USSF Presidential candidate and NYC based lawyer Mike Winograd. Mr. Winograd is a soccer lifer who has played, coached, served in a front office and worked in the sport in his chosen field of law. Among the topics discussed this week....
Pay to Play (and coach)Investment in the women's game and NWSLIncreasing access to soccer in urban and rural underserved communitiesA leadership style and vision that fits US Soccer's unique challengesThe role of state soccer associations in the development challenges to comeHealthy lower divisionsTransparency in decision-making and the need for consensus building
Mr. Winograd's entire platform, as well as a biography, press clips and a note about why he elected to seek the US Soccer Presidency, can be found at his website, linked here.

The guys are joined by longtime American soccer writer Richard Farley, most recently of the great FourFourTwo, to discuss Jonathan Gonzalez's decision to play for Mexico.

Other (and related) discussions are had about:

- American soccer and it's Latino-American inclusion problem

- increasing US Soccer role in underserved communities and increasing access

- what went into the Gonzalez decision

- US Women's reforms and challenges

- What's next for US Soccer and the presidential election

Veteran American soccer journalists Neil W. Blackmon and Kartik Krishnaiyer interview US Soccer Federation Presidential candidate Kyle Martino. Martino, a former US Men's National Team player and veteran of various MLS clubs, announced his candidacy in November. He currently works as the lone American analyst for NBC Sports' coverage of the English Premier League.

Among the topics of conversation are Martino's proposed reforms, including the importance of increasing access to the game at the community levels, easing access to coaching licenses, necessary and equal reform proposals for the women's game and the need for transparency at all levels of the US Soccer operation and pyramid.

Enjoy!

The guys return for 2018 with a lengthy, informative interview with US Soccer Presidential candidate Steve Gans. An attorney with longstanding ties to the beautiful game as a player, front office executive and attorney, Mr. Gans discusses the various challenges facing the US Soccer Federation as they begin a new chapter after over a decade of leadership from outgoing President Sunil Gulati.

Among the topics of conversation:

- The Women's Game, NWSL, and needed reforms and investment

- Pay for Play and Pay to Coach

- What to do with state referee associations

- The need for transparency in the new regime

And much more. Enjoy getting to know Steve's platform in this interview!

Playing for the first time since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the United States has called in a very young team to play European champion Portugal next week in Lisbon.

Veteran American soccer journalists Neil W. Blackmon and Kartik Krishnaiyer break down the team, and discuss what they liked, what they didn't like, and what they hope to see against Ronaldo and the rest of the champions of Europe.

As a bonus, the guys talk Honduras-Australia, as the World Cup qualifying playoffs get set to begin.

Kartik Krishnaiyer and Neil W. Blackmon join forces to discuss Sunil Gulati's conference call last Friday with the assembled soccer media, which they greet with mixed reviews.

They also discuss the US Soccer Federation's upcoming coaching search, settling in on a favorite (you'll be surprised) and some fun and "weird" dark horses.

The U17 World Cup, which saw a dominant US run rampant against Paraguay Monday, is also a topic.

The United States Men's National Team is out of the World Cup next summer in Russia before it even begins.

The guys break down what went wrong, both Tuesday night in Port-of-Spain, and the 9 Hex nights before, when the US failed as often as it didn't, and put themselves in position to need a result on a soggy patch of grass in the Caribbean.


The boys discuss who should be accountable, from players to media to administrators to coaches and US development. Then they discuss what comes next.

If you're sad, this is the pod for you, as both Neil and Kartik vent.

Kartik Krishnaiyer and Neil Blackmon break down the US victory over Panama in Orlando. Among the topics:



a- has the US found tactical answers with Pulisic central?

b- what to do with Darlington Nagbe long-term after another quiet game for the US?

c- What types of challenges does Trinidad and Tobago present?

d- An El Tri discussion- is this the best Mexico team ever?

e- an homage to the atmosphere in Orlando.

And more!

Conversation with the Daryl Grove, one-half of the wonderful Total Soccer Show, on Friday's USA-Panama qualifier.

As we recorded this before the roster announcement, there's a lengthy chat on Fabian Johnson that proves to be somewhat clairvoyant.

Other items on the agenda?

- Pulisic central or wide?

- Three in the back or four?

- Is Daryl surprised at how tough it has been for the US this cycle?

- What to expect from Panama?

- How optimistic is Daryl about the future of US Soccer?

In the aftermath of US Soccer's decision to deny NASL Division II status, the North American Soccer League faces the prospect of going out of business.

Perhaps as a last-ditch effort to save itself, the league filed an antitrust lawsuit against US Soccer over the past week.

Using their longtime experience around the NASL and US Soccer, Kartik Krishnaiyer, special guest Dr. Nipun Chopra and Neil W. Blackmon break down the lawsuit on this week's show, from a legal and soccer standpoint.

Does the NASL have a chance to win? Is this Complaint just the beginning legally? What are the best arguments in the lawsuit? The worst? Where do we go from here? Does US Soccer treat MLS with favoritism, and if yes, do they do it so much that it creates a competitive advantage in the market for soccer in the United States? What is, for that matter, the market for soccer in the United States? Is it exclusive territory over which US Soccer has control? Did years of mismanagement or poor business decisions seal NASL's fate long before this litigation? What consequences for the USL?

This will be the most comprehensive treatment of the litigation you'll get on the web, and with special guest Dr. Nipun Chopra on, you'll hear from one of the foremost voices on lower-division soccer in the United States break the whole litigation down.

Thanks for listening!

Peter Wilt joins the show to discuss his new league, the NISA, why he's doing it, what his hopes are, and more stories from a lifetime spent in American soccer. Kartik Krishnaiyer hosts.

Veteran American soccer journalists Neil W. Blackmon and Kartik Krishnaiyer talk the beautiful game, with an American slant.

This week's show is a busy one. Topics include:

- US U 20 World Cup performance analysis

- USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago preview

- Do the US have a distinctive style?

- John Brooks move to Wolfsburg

- Is this the best Mexico side ever?

- USA vs. Mexico at Azteca

- Has Tab Ramos earned a higher-level gig?

- Do the US need more from Fabian Johnson? And more...

Neil W. Blackmon talks with this week's guest, Matthew Tomaszewicz, (founder of The Shin Guardian and @shinguardian on Twitter) about the first third of the MLS schedule and the upcoming USMNT qualifiers in June. Topics of discussion include, but aren't limited to:

- Early season tactical trends in MLS

- Who has impressed Matthew and Neil through 1/3 of the campaign

- Atlanta's impressive debut

- US goalkeepers

Dennis Crowley, the founder of Four Square, likes to build things, preferably from scratch. he is also passionate about growing the beautiful game in the United States.

We interviewed him this week to talk about the upcoming National Premier League Soccer season, his club Kingston Stockade FC, the US Soccer pyramid and US player development and much more. Enjoy.

The Guys preview the 2017 NWSL season, with special guest Richard Farley, editor at Four Four Two USA and one of the foremost commentators on women's soccer in the United States.

Among the topics: What to do with Christen Press? Will Seattle find answers in the midfield? Will Kansas City bounce back after missing the playoffs? How much of a difference will Marta make in Orlando? What's a reasonable expectation for Rose Lavelle in Boston? Can anyone challenge Portland?

American soccer writers Kartik Krishnaiyer and Neil W. Blackmon discuss the newly ratified US Women's collective bargaining agreement, and highlight the good and ambivalent. Meanwhile, Sunil Gulati and CONCACAF launch a joint three nation bid for the 2026 World Cup-- but is it fair to Canada and Mexico? Finally, a review of Americans playing in the Bundesliga caps this week's show.

The guys review the US win over Honduras and draw in Panama. Specifically, a conversation about the future of the US midfield, just how good Pulisic is and whether the US have a goalkeeping problem.

Episode two of The Yanks Are Coming Soccer Show.

This week's show includes a discussion about off-season MLS moves, as well as what's up with the USL and NASL. We'll also chat about the upcoming USMNT camp, and discuss Bruce Arena's first roster in his second stint in command.

Veteran coach and soccer writer John Halloran joins us to discuss Jill Ellis's first camp too.

Episode One of The Yanks Are Coming Soccer Show features a look back at the year that was in US Soccer in 2016. Plus, USWNT CBA talks hit a roadblock, Alex Morgan heads to Lyon, Bob Bradley sacked at Swansea, and more.