I get my tooth implant next month and one of the things I have on my radar is spinning this podcast back up. I love talking with folks about their soccer culture and what they do to bring people in and/or make their communities better.

My wife is sad because the dolphin on the Dolphins helmet no longer has a little helmet.

#USOC2025 SF: Austin FC is heading to its first US Open Cup Final after beating Minnesota United FC, 2-1 AET. CJ Fodrey scored at the death of the semifinal to help #AustinFC become the fourth team from South Texas to reach the final. Recap by @northstarashle.bsky.social: thecup.us/2025/09/18/2...

On @liberopodcast.bsky.social, me, @brewin.bsky.social and @rorysmith.bsky.social discuss the Ballon d'Or and its meaning in modern football, what it says, how it's affected clubs and players - what should it be? pod.fo/e/32d745

In a remarkable act of defiance and solidarity, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" played the clip from the monologue that led to the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" by ABC. It aired on CBS stations and affiliates across the country. [Video: CBS]

Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have both evolved. Manchester City have a hulking No 9 — Erling Haaland. Arsenal have one too — Victor Gyokeres. But is Arteta imitating Guardiola or vice versa? Or are they just adapting to wider Premier League trends?

🗓️ 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙆𝙀𝙉𝘿'𝙎 𝙁𝙄𝙓𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙀𝙎! 📋 Lots of eyes will be on the Rome Derby during Matchday 4 of the Men’s Serie A season, but here’s what else we’ve got to look forward to. #SerieA

#OnThisDay 19 Sept 1926 🇮🇹 Stadio San Siro is opened with a derby between the occupants Milan and Inter. It was extended in time for the 1990 World Cup final and is a must for any groundhopper. Have you been? 📸 A rainy Sunday heading to the stadium. It’s one of my favourite #groundhopping shots

Hamburg continue their streak of not scoring a goal so far. The last foal they scored in the Bundesliga continues to be May 12th, 2018. They have a point because they got a draw against the other team that hasnt scored yet. Meanwhile Bayern is Bayern what can you say.

#ICYMI Here's our preview for this weekend's 2026 @opencup.ussoccer.com qualifiers!

EXCLUSIVE: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is calling on FIFA to end dynamic pricing on World Cup tickets. His petition “Game Over Greed” also demands that FIFA reinstates a cap on ticket resales and sets aside 15 percent of tickets for local residents at a discount.

The Rugby Championship - Round 3 Review I'm back. youtu.be/krpaxrSRH6E

Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association boys state polls: Week 2 (Sorry this wasn't posted yesterday!)

And if you want to see what Rhode Island is feeling before tonight’s match check out the preview livestream held by Tide Talk and @rifcpodcast.bsky.social. Stream will start at 2:30 PST. m.youtube.com/live/Q_u6H-F...

🗣️ Who Are Ya!: BOHFS St Louis ▫️What started out as just a pickup team has already grown into a strong member of the Midwest Premier League and is the first team in North America to participate in the Villa de Cabanillas, an elite tournament in Spain www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...

In Act 2 of this week's @thisamericanlife.org ("The Engineer") on #NPR, there's a fantastic story about a kid who plays an elaborate prank to get a transfer rumor started in England. Then, he pulls another that involves a former @houstondynamo.com player. Link in the comments #HoldItDown

Fucking joke of a commissioner, joke of a player, joke of a league

From Twitter / X: “Cosmos Fan Fest and Select-a-Seat is here. 📍 Hinchliffe Stadium 🗓 Sat, Oct 4 | 2–6 PM | Free admission Youth clinics, food, music & more — plus the first chance to secure your 2026 membership plan. Be part of Cosmos history: vivenu.com/event/cosmos... “ @hudsonriverblue.com

The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters (@soccerreporters.bsky.social), and select backers from our Patreon (donors that pledge $10 or more). Want a vote? Help us cover the #USOpenCup! www.patreon.com/usopencup

#USOC2025 QF: Kelvin Yeboah of Minnesota United FC has been voted TheCup's Player of the Round. Yeboah’s two-goal extra time performance off the bench against Chicago Fire lifted #MNUFC to the semifinals. Article by Ashle Lynn Paige: thecup.us/2025/08/30/2... @mnufc.com @mndarkclouds.bsky.social

The First Qualifying Round for the 2026 US Open Cup is happening the weekend of Sept. 13-14. In total 44 teams will begin their #USOC2026 journey around the country. Check out our schedule page: thecup.us/2025/08/30/2... @opencup.ussoccer.com

#USOC1995 Semifinals: El Paso Patriots 1:0 Seattle #Sounders - FULL TIME In 100+ degree El Paso heat, the Patriots hold the A-League's best offense in check to advance to become the 2nd #Texas team to reach the #USOpenCup Final Read @chucknolanjr.bsky.social's recap: thecup.us/2025/08/28/1...

Inter Miami is disgusting. Luis Suarez is disgusting. Spitting on a Sounders coach. #LeaguesCup #MLS

I saw a lot of Gucci handbags being thrown. Then I saw that disgusting act from that TMNT Rat!

He’s more trying to take credit for some of the financial improvements that happened after their “withdrawal” (Whether that’s the true cause is another story)

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber on the US Open Cup, where the relationship is between MLS and the tournament. (Credit Favian Renkel) #USOpenCup #MLS #MLSSeasonPass #USOC2025

Commissioner Slick with the statements of slickness. Let's put our markers in for maximum bandwith. If we don't get the core compentencies that MLS expects and the deliverables that we know we are due...and those are the low-hanging fruit. Hey, you may see pushback on our ability to drive synergy.

Despite having a lead in the game disappear three times, the Richmond Kickers, an amateur side from the USISL Premier League, beat the Chicago Stingers 4-3 to become the first Virginia-based club to reach the #USOpenCup Final. @chucknolanjr.bsky.social's game recap: thecup.us/2025/08/28/1...

Next up in our 1995 #USOpenCup Rewind Series, the other Semifinal where the amateur @richmondkickers.bsky.social hosted the Chicago Stingers (USISL Pro League). Which team would meet the El Paso Patriots in the Final? It was a wild one. Hop in our time machine & enjoy the game thread below

There are SO MANY great USL League One storylines this weekend! Tag your team and tell us where you think they’ll finish when all of Week 27’s action is said and done.

I think its a matter of time before McAfee does the headgear picks. MAYBE not this season, a moratorium out of respect for Coach Corso. But by next season its on the table. Maybe not EVERY week but a big enough game and it will be down. Maybe even the guest picker sometimes does it.

We're down to the Semifinals in our 1995 #USOpenCup Rewind Series. Let's take a look at the final four with arguably the best team in the country, a powerhouse amateur team, and two USISL Pro League teams with eyes on the trophy. Preview of the 1995 Semifinals in the comments

Looks like USL intends to compete directly with @clevelandprosoccer.bsky.social’s MLSNP efforts (and likely WPSL Pro as well). The “Soccer Warz” rage on. www.wkyc.com/article/news...

Pixels To Pitch 🎮⚽️ The 2025 eSports MLS Pre-Match Top from the New York Red Bulls. This looks like one of those 90s cup designs. Apparently the design has a name. Wikipedia calls it “Jazz”. (First photo from #RBNY, second image from Wikipedia)

That's the US Open Cup trophy, right?

French guy. Right back. 30. Smoldering look to the camera for announcement pic. Looks like he’s started about half of San Jose’s matches over the last few years.

🫵🏽 We’re kicking off a new weekly series SOON and we need your help! ❓If you own or help operate a club, shoot us a DM. You’ll have answer some easy peasy questions and BOOM we’ll get your club highlighted on our website. 📲 DM us now.

We don’t dream of football to escape life. We dream of football because it shows us how exciting life can be. We are Terminio. ⚽️🐉

Vermont, and how soccer hipsterdom worked its way into the mainstream (with LOTS of fun TIFOs along the way) www.goal.com/en-us/lists/...

USL clubs don't spend loads on players - they can't. But they are sneakily creative with how they make their moves. From Ohio State to South Africa, here's how teams are running their transfer business www.goal.com/en-us/lists/...

The Capitol Rioters have had quite a lot to say since they received pardons from Donald Trump — most have no regrets, believe conspiracy theories, and remain loyal to Trump and the MAGA movement. I'm documenting their statements, activities, and networks at Pardon Tracker. Please consider donating:

What crazy college football playoff idea will the Big Ten think of next?!?

@generalpants.bsky.social @pwilt1.bsky.social @prorelspectator.bsky.social @darbysagala.bsky.social @lordwalken.bsky.social @brookslaimbeer.bsky.social @jgeiss.bsky.social @romulan4747.bsky.social @tyschalter.com

Congrats to Schuyler Riese - 2025 WPSL Defensive Player of the Year for the North Lakes Conference, Lake Michigan Division! Her leadership anchored not just our back line, but our entire squad all season. 🖤💚🧡 #UpTheHouse #OurCityOurHouse #WPSL

Men’s 2025 goal reel is here! Midwest Premier League magic from the season that had you spilling your popcorn and waking the neighbors. Not every goal made the cut, but every one in here is worth a watch youtu.be/m-8ltI4lJX8

Protagonist has been covering local soccer stories all over America for YEARS. Time to get on their bandwagon and enjoy some sumptuous glossy coverage of the game we love.