Soccerwise

The moment you have all waited for. With Chris Wittingham acting as a proxy for team Tom/Calen, and our former producent folding up his club like Chivas USA the draft is on! Ten rounds plus defenders to finally decide who is the ultimate ball knower.

We're entering a new era at Kickback Soccer Media. David Gass and Susannah Fuller sit down to talk about two incredible new shows, and to meet our HUGE winter window signing...Matt Doyle!It's Kickback Soccer Media 2.0, and we can't wait to share this momentous soccer year for American soccer with you!Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/Subscribe to TacticsFreeZone: https://tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my-days-at-mls-and-my-plan-for-whats-next/

Our 2026 MLS Season preview continues with three playoff teams from 2025. They all join Gass to talk through the biggest topics for the upcoming season. Starting with the awkward fit of the high priced pieces in Austin. Then they talk through Charlotte's playoff woes, and finally James-manie hits the twin cities!0:00 Austin FC w/North End Podcast22:45 Charlotte FC w/TopBin9034:33 Minnesota United w/Loony Bin Podcast

The start of the season is around the corner and yet some clubs have left us waiting on signings. Matt Doyle joins Gass to discuss the four biggest additions he is still waiting on in Toronto, San Jose, Dallas & Atlanta. Plus they run through the big moves that have been made by LAFC and MIN and how impactful (and long) they will be for those clubs. Then David starts his team specific previews for 2026. First up is expansion darlings San Diego w/Tony Sanchez of the San Diego.Futbol crew to talk about the amazing year that was and how this year can rival it (without even Chucky Lozano). Then Kicback Committee member and 615 Soccer host Valair Shabilla checks in to talk about the OTHER offseason darlings Nashville SC. With the addition of Cristian Espinoza could it be title town in Tennesse?4:55 San Diego Leg 2 CCL Preview13:59 TFC Waiting On Sargent23:15 San Jose's Needs At #1026:50 FC Dallas Looking For Musa's Support31:10 ATL Keeping It Together For Tata34:30 Stephen Eustaquio Signs With LAFC38:50 Details On James Rodriguez Contract42:50 Jonny Perez Joins Chivas USA45:25 Myrto Uzuni Transfer Saga51:43 Discord Mailbag On Slow Transfer Windows57:55 2026 San Diego Season Preview w/Tony Sanchez (2 Balls And A Mic)1:11 2026 Nashville Season Preview w/Valair Shabilla (PharmaceuticalSoccer Podcast)

Well the ice cream shop is closed for a little (sorta) with Tom on dad duty. So Joe Lowery joins David for a big show. They revel in the addition of the Boy Star James Rodriguez to Minnesota United and figure out WHAT IS GOING ON! Then they dig through all the biggest moves since last show. They compliment Seattles development of Obed Vargas, weigh the improvements or lack there of Red Bulls, and what is going on with these failed medicals. Finally they go over Joe's favorites additions of the offseason so far.8:30 San Diego's Dominant CONCACAF Debut16:14 James Rodriguez Joining Minnesota26:47 Obed Vargas Development & Transfer To Atleti35:09 Red Bull Attacking DP Addition39:45 Carles Gil Extends His Time In New England42:15 Orlando CB Signing & NYCFC DP Fail Transfer Medicals45:45 Whitecaps Retool49:55 Crew Rotated CFs With JRR Sale & Thiare Trade52:45 Stephen Eustaqio's Potential Fit In LA & Bounga Transfers56:00 Joe's Favorite Offseason Moves Mamadou Fall, Robin Lod, Erik Thommy & Timo Werner

The moves continue to come as all teams have started training camp but continue to build their rosters. After putting a bow on Gotham's London trip. Jordan and David dive into the big defenders added starting with USWNT CB Eva Gaetino joining Denver from PSG. They then talk about Bay breaking West Hams transfer record for their new addition, Chicago loading up on the backline, and North Carolina finding their Denise O'sullivan replacement.7:00 Corinthians Shine At FIFA Women's Champions Cup11:45 Gotham Win 3rd Place18:49 Denver Adds Eva Gaetino & Sells 40k Tickets31:40 Bay FC Spend Big On Additions From West Ham & Manchester United37:27 Mexico Intl Aliyah Farmer Joins Chicago Defense40:55 NC Courage Finally Add Along Their Spine

Our favorite annual tradition is back for the second time ever. Matt Doyle the keeper of the numbers rejoins the show to take Tom & Gass through the rankings. The three of them way in on every team in MLS and add in their locks for the five picks they each feel most confident about. Spoilers from DC United at the bottom to reigning MLS Cup champs Inter Miami at the top they talk through it all.**Note this was recorded on 1/27 due to the birth of Carmelo Skattebo Bogert. So some host takes will be dumber than usual.**

Get your pencils and notebooks out because it is time to get wiser about soccer together! Bobby Warshaw (Bloom Sports) takes David & Matt through the exercise of planning a winning MLS roster. He asks them the same questions he asks some of the biggest clubs CSO's. Listen to the debate and conversation. And you can answer the questions yourself about the club you would build. See the questions below and send the hosts your thoughts on Bluesky or in the Discord!What are your objectives for the next 1-3-5 years? How are we measuring our targets?What’s your thesis on why you will be successful? In 1-2 sentences, tell me why you’ll beat out the 29 other people trying to do the same thing as you?What are your Roster Pillars? What are the ~5 things that you need to achieve with your squad to be successful in MLS? (They do not need to be the same for every team.)What are the categories of players within your roster? How are you defining and measuring them?

We finally have games to talk about like on the field! David & Jordan break down the Gotham match vs Corinthians. They look as well at their two big additions in Jared Dudley & Savanah McCaskill. Then they look at the biggest stories out of USWNT camp especially Rodman's world record contract. Finally they talk about North Carolina Courage finally bringing in their new coach and center forward.3:30 Gotham Loss In London19:12 USWNT Camp Reaction29:12 Rodman's New Contract36:30 North Carolina Courage New Coach & Players

With the end of the European transfer window in sight a few huge moves have dropped. Tom & David start with USMNT young phenom Alex Freemen's transfer to La Liga side Villarreal. They look at what it means for him, USMNT, and Orlando. Then they check in on Fulham's $38 million bid for Ricardo Pepi, NYCFC's big moves up front, and the opening round matchups of USOC.9:15 Alex Freeman Sale To Villarreal21:35 Ricardo Pepi Potential Fulham Move25:55 NYCFC Alonso Martinez Replacement DP & More Movies36:15 Toulouse Offer For Jacen Russell-Rowe39:02 RSL Big Attacking Signings46:52 Tomas Aviles Loaned From MIA to MTL55:20 USOC 1st Round Matchups Set59:54 USL Premier Structure

MLS dropping some big rule changes as Tom & David jump in to to go over all of it. They talk through what this means for MLS teams in 2026 and beyond. Then they dig into the big stories of the week from MIA trying to Big Dawg LAFC to ATL working on their rebuild. There can't be a Soccerwise episode without a long conversation around GAM. And finally the admin puts our hosts through the REAL MLS Jeopardy ringer. 8:20 MLS Transfer Window, Loan & Cashfer Changes17:20 Inter Miami Try To Big Dawg LAFC For Denis Bouanga25:50 LAG Buying Joao Klauss From STL38:50 ATL United Connected To Guido Rodriguez44:30 MLS GAM Release And Minnesota United57:15 Admin MLS Trivia

We finally have an NWSL schedule! And while it is one of the earliest releases we have had it isn't straight forward. David & Jordan talk through all the oddities and intricacies of 2026. Then they talk about the massive moves of Delphine Cascarino & Denise O'Sullivan moves to Europe. And finally talk about the effect of Temwa Chawinga & Michelle Coopers injuries in KC.8:30 NWSL Schedule For 202623:30 Delphine Cascarino Leaving San Diego27:15 Denise O'Sullivan Joins Liverpool & Questions in NC33:25 Spirit Spend $950k For Paraguayan Phenom42:15 Temwa Chawinga & Michelle Cooper SEI Injuries

An active weekend once again includes who else but Inter Miami. Tom & David chat about HOW good this MIA team can become if Bertarame comes on board. They of course talk about the new majority owner of SKC who says they will spend to win. And the "Ice Cream Shop" is LOADED with Facu Torres approaching Austin, Houston adding Bogusz, and of course Josh Sargent's update.

David sit downs in person with these four MLS stars. They talk about a range of topics from youth development, to living in the moment around the World Cup, Wilfred Nancy's future in Europe, Jersey pizza, and much more.1:00 Seb Berhalter (VAN) on player development, World Cup memories, making the WC roster, and who is next up for the Whitecaps.8:05 Tim Ream (CTL) on growth of MLS, living in the moment, work life balance, Charlotte's next steps, and more.22:19 Steven Moreira(CLB) on what makes Nancy special, good fighting in the locker room, his position change, losing Darlington Nagbe, and what Columbus means to him.37:32 Paxten Aaronson(COL) on coming back to MLS, Jersey pizza, having a professional soccer brother, and much more.

It is the first show of 2026 for Jordan & David and the news is flying across NWSL. They sit down with the new coach of KC Current Chirs Armas to talk about his new role and what he is looking to bring to the team. They also run through the biggest stories across the league from Lindsey Heaps heading home to Denver to San Diego's record trade, and Angel City's rebuild.5:40 Lindsey Heaps Joins Denver Summitt17:55 Sam Coffey Signs In Manchester22:20 NWSLPA Files Grievance On HIP Rule In NWSL27:30 San Diego Trade For Ludmilla While Cascarino Looks To Move33:40 Angel City Rebuild With Emily Sams45:40 Chris Armas Interview

A big show packed with news and guests for Soccerwise. First Tom breaks the news as Timo Werner & San Jose approach a landmark deal. They also talk about Toronto's pursuit of Josh Sargent and Eric Ramsey leaving Minnesota. Then David sits down with Michael Boxall (MIN) & Brandon Vasquez (Austin).6:30 Timo Werner In Talks With San Jose18:50 TFC Potential Record Transfer For Josh Sargent38:00 Eric Ramsey Leaves MIN & Cam Knowles Takes Over45:11 Ice Cream Shop Chucky Lozano1:08:10 Michael Boxall Interview1:24:05 Brandon Vasquez Interview

The band is back together for a megashow to open up the 2026 Ice Cream Shop. Tom & David go through all the biggest breaking news stories. From Nashville pushing into MLS Cup territory to Miami retooling. 4:50 Nancy Out At Celtic10:18 Nashville Blockbuster Signing For Espinoza20:00 Jacob Shaffelburg Traded To LAFC23:30 Inter Miami Secure Allende Return + Big Additions36:25 Houston In Talks To Acquire Mateus Bogusz40:50 Seattle Acquire u22 Initiative CM Nikola Petkovic43:55 Charlotte FC Sign Luca De La Torre50:45 Riqui Puig Heartbreaking Injury & LA Galaxy's Plans58:33 DC United Record Signing Forward1:03:20 Coaching Hires For SKC, CLB & Red Bulls1:12:20 Robin Lod to Chicago & Minnesota Restocking

To close out our holiday slate we have one of our favorite episodes. Friends of the show Matt Doyle & Bobby Warshaw come on to bounce around some big and small topics around MLS. They dig into what makes a winner and how they would run a club.

Chief Soccer Officer of FC Dallas talks to the SW crew about Lucho-mania, schedule change affect on his work, Superdrafts value, and plans for 2026.

Soccerwise was lucky to sit-down with Chicago's Director of Football & Head Coach Gregg Berhalter as the offseason begins. He talks with David about his time with the USMNT, the special season his son had, what wins in MLS, the potential of big name additions in Chicago, and much more.