It's Called Soccer!

This week on the Summer Series, Dax McCarty and Taylor Twellman are joined by Rob Stone and Matt Freese. Dax and Taylor open with an emotional tribute to Jota and André Silva, reflecting on the devastating loss and what it means to them — as fathers, husbands, and teammates. Then: the shock of the tournament — Man City’s early exit from the Club World Cup. Dax questions if the Saudi league is better than people think, while Taylor breaks down Pep’s priorities and why this loss might not be what it seems. The guys also weigh in on Klopp’s comments about football’s relentless schedule — and how it’s breaking players down. Over in the U.S., Chelsea’s delayed match sparks a response from Dax, who calls out how common these disruptions are stateside — and pushes back on Enzo Maresca’s criticism. Plus: reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s new deal, Malik Tillman’s move to Leverkusen, and what’s behind the chaos at Toronto FC. Rob Stone joins to talk all things USMNT — the team’s emotional state, the challenge of facing Mexico, and where the program stands with fans. Then, Matt Freese sits down 1-on-1 with Dax and Taylor: from the message he got from Pochettino, to saving three penalties in a Gold Cup shootout, to the childhood inspirations that shaped his game. It’s a standout interview you don’t want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inter Miami’s making history — and Benjamin Cremaschi is in the middle of it all. This week, the young star joins Dax McCarty and Taylor Twellman on the Summer Series to talk Messi, Mascherano, and making waves at the Club World Cup. Dax opens with a breakdown of Inter Miami’s unforgettable win — and why it means more than just a ticket to the knockout rounds. Taylor calls it a turning point for MLS, and the guys compare Miami’s market value to clubs like Porto — with Messi, Busquets, and Suárez turning MLS into must-watch football. Benjamin Cremaschi sits down 1-on-1 with Taylor and Dax. He opens up about playing for his hometown club, the message Mascherano gave him before the Club World Cup, and what it’s really like to face PSG on the biggest stage. He also shares what it’s like lining up next to Lionel Messi every week — and picks his favorite Messi goal in pink. Plus: Suárez’s game-changing strike, why Taylor says LAFC may be out of their depth at the Club World Cup, and a debate about Olivier Giroud’s impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Summer Series, Taylor Twellman and Dax McCarty are joined by special guest Chris Armas — diving into the biggest stories across MLS, the USMNT, and the global game. Dax and Taylor kick things off with some classic Father’s Day advice — before breaking down Conor Tracey’s wild journey from unpaid leave to the professional pitch. Taylor compares it to his own generation, even name-checking Jamie Vardy, while Dax shares a story about a former teammate balancing soccer and another job. Then: praise all around for MLS sides impressing this season — and why Taylor believes the expanded Club World Cup should inspire MLS owners to take the next step. The guys debate Portland’s ceiling under Phil Neville, and whether they could actually win the West. Chris Armas joins the show with insight from all angles — including his take on Pochettino needing time, the media storm around Pulisic, and how it compares to managing Cristiano Ronaldo. He also opens up about the USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper battle, his Hall of Fame induction, and what’s keeping him up at night in Colorado. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re kicking off a brand-new Summer Series hosted by Taylor Twellman and Dax McCarty, bringing you all the best stories and debates across MLS, the USMNT, Club World Cup, and beyond — every week through the summer. In Episode 1, Landon Donovan’s comments on Christian Pulisic spark major reaction — with Pulisic’s dad firing back and Taylor & Dax weighing in on the USMNT’s off-field tension. Is there a deeper problem behind the scenes? We also dive into the revamped Club World Cup: is the group stage a bust or a brilliant idea? And why LAFC explored signing Cristiano Ronaldo — but why it likely won't happen. Plus: MLS midseason grades, Ribéry vs Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or, and why Lionel Messi is the “GM” of Inter Miami. 📺 Watch now and subscribe on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. New episodes every week. This show is brought to you by FanDuel. New to FanDuel Sportsbook? Bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets guaranteed. Download the FanDuel Sportsbook App or check it out at https://www.fanduel.com/ics to get in on the action. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, D.C., IA, IL, IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG. This episode is brought to you by Altra Running. Try Altra with a free 30-day trial and free shipping at https://www.altrarunning.com 00:00 - Welcome to the Summer Series! 02:42 - Landon Donovan vs Christian Pulisic 11:50 - American Athletes & Load Management 14:37 - USMNT’s Mentality: What’s Really Going On? 22:22 - FanDuel Picks of the Week 29:16 - Club World Cup: Hit or Miss? 38:00 - MLS Midseason Report Card 45:10 - Summer Socials: Ronaldo vs Ribéry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gary Neville returns from Munich to break down PSG’s historic Champions League final win over Inter Milan. Was this the best club performance we’ve seen in a European final? And is this the start of something special under Luis Enrique—or just a perfect night in Paris? Then, the panel dive into Manchester United’s transfer window—Cunha signs, Bruno Fernandes could be sold, and Kobbie Mainoo’s future hangs in the balance. Has Old Trafford become a graveyard for talent? And what does Ruben Amorim really need to rebuild the club? We also assess Chelsea’s smart move for Delap, and whether it signals a turning point under Maresca. Meanwhile, Liverpool waste no time backing Arne Slot with a huge Wirtz bid and aggressive transfer business. Are they setting the summer standard? And finally, Gary and Rebecca are stunned by Real Madrid paying £10M to land Trent Alexander-Arnold early—just to get him into the Club World Cup. A smart move? Subscribe now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts to catch every episode of It’s Called Soccer. This show is brought to you by FanDuel. New to FanDuel Sportsbook? Bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets guaranteed. Download the FanDuel Sportsbook App or check it out at https://www.fanduel.com/ics to get in on the action. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, D.C., IA, IL, IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG. This episode is sponsored by Lovevery. It’s Called Soccer viewers and listeners get an exclusive discount on your first subscription order by entering code SOCCER at checkout! Visit https://Lovevery.com and use code Soccer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tottenham have finally done it! Gary Neville and Rebecca Lowe react to Spurs’ Europa League Final win over Manchester United—and the fallout. Postecoglou’s bold tactics paid off, but what happens next? Is this his last dance at Spurs? And can he be trusted in the Champions League after 21 league defeats? Gary and Rebecca debate his future and why this trophy might not be enough to paper over the cracks. Then it's time to talk about the mess at Manchester United. Gary doesn’t hold back on the club’s “perfect storm of rubbish,” sends a direct message to Ruben Amorim, and explains why this latest defeat might actually be the wake-up call United need. Rebecca Lowe is still flying high after Crystal Palace’s historic FA Cup win—and she’s joined by none other than FA Cup winner and USMNT star Chris Richards to relive the magic. What does this mean for Palace’s future? And how did Chris celebrate one of the biggest nights in the club’s history?Subscribe now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts to catch every episode of It’s Called Soccer. This episode is brought to you by Altra Running. Try Altra with a free 30-day trial and free shipping at https://www.altrarunning.com This episode is sponsored by Lovevery. It’s Called Soccer viewers and listeners get an exclusive discount on your first subscription order by entering code SOCCER at checkout! Visit https://Lovevery.com and use code Soccer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, and Rebecca Lowe react to the fallout from Liverpool fans booing Trent Alexander-Arnold following his announcement that he will leave the club this summer. Is he putting his brand above the badge? Should he be benched for the title lift at Anfield? The panel debate whether Trent’s Real Madrid move tarnishes his Liverpool legacy and if local players are held to a different standard. Gary and Jamie clash over what it means to leave a club like Liverpool for a giant like Madrid—and whether this moment will be remembered more than his iconic Barcelona assist. Next, Xabi Alonso is confirmed as the next Real Madrid manager. Will his tactical system translate at the Bernabéu? And can he manage stars like Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. the way Ancelotti has? Then, it’s FA Cup Final week. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish joins the show to preview the biggest day in the club’s history as they take on Manchester City at Wembley. Can Palace pull off the upset? Steve explains why the club believes this could be the start of something transformational. Subscribe now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts to catch every episode of It’s Called Soccer. This show is brought to you by FanDuel. New to FanDuel Sportsbook? Bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets guaranteed. Download the FanDuel Sportsbook App or check it out at https://www.fanduel.com/ics to get in on the action. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, D.C., IA, IL, IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG. This episode is brought to you by Altra Running. Try Altra with a free 30-day trial and free shipping at https://www.altrarunning.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of It’s Called Soccer, Rebecca Lowe and Gary Neville react to Trent Alexander-Arnold's farewell message to Liverpool fans as reports link him with a move to Real Madrid for the Club World Cup. Gary and Rebecca debate whether Liverpool should play him again — or let him go now. Harry Kane finally gets his hands on a trophy after winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. But is that enough? The crew discuss whether Kane should return to the Premier League — and if a move to Arsenal is really off the table. With Arsenal 1-0 down to PSG and Spurs 3-1 up in their Europa League semi-final, Gary weighs in on who’s had the better season — and whether the Europa League should come with a Champions League spot. Later in the show, Lamine Yamal’s breakout continues as Gary compares the 17-year-old Barcelona star to Wayne Rooney — and breaks down what makes him so dangerous. Then, MLS legend Bradley Wright-Phillips joins to discuss training with Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi’s impact on the league, and how young talents like Cavan Sullivan should be handled. This show is brought to you by FanDuel.New to FanDuel Sportsbook? Bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets guaranteed. Download the FanDuel Sportsbook App or check it out at https://www.fanduel.com/ics to get in on the action. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, D.C., IA, IL, IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of It’s Called Soccer, Rebecca Lowe and Gary Neville react to Liverpool being crowned Premier League champions for a record-equalling 20th time. Gary describes what it was like to be at Anfield, why he left early, and whether this ends the debate about who’s the biggest club in England. They put the question to ChatGPT—Manchester United or Liverpool? Gary isn’t convinced by the answer, and Jamie Carragher weighs in from afar with his own message for Neville. Arne Slot wins the league in his debut season at Liverpool, and Gary gives his take on how the team have evolved post-Klopp. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future also comes up—will he stay at the club long-term? Rebecca reveals she’s dreaming of Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup and explains how far she’d go to be at the final. Later in the show, New York Red Bulls star Emil Forsberg joins to talk about life in MLS, why playing against Lionel Messi is unlike anything else, and how he ended up supporting Liverpool. He also opens up on the Red Bull football philosophy and what sets MLS apart from European leagues. Gary reacts to the reports of Carlo Ancelotti taking over as Brazil manager and whether Xabi Alonso is ready to replace him at Real Madrid. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts for new episodes every week. This show is brought to you by FanDuel. New to FanDuel Sportsbook? Bet $5 and get $250 in Bonus Bets guaranteed. Download the FanDuel Sportsbook App or check it out at https://www.fanduel.com/ics to get in on the action. We MUST also include the following disclaimer verbatim at the bottom of all show notes: Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, D.C., IA, IL, IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (permitted parishes only), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG. This episode is brought to you by Altra Running. Try Altra with a free 30-day trial and free shipping at https://www.altrarunning.com This episode is sponsored by Peloton. Find your push. Find your power with Peloton at https://onepeloton.com 00:00 - Introduction 01:44 - Gary Neville’s Anfield Great Escape 04:11 - Is Man United Still Bigger Than Liverpool? 08:22 - Jamie Carragher Reacts to Liverpool’s 20th Title 09:55 - Arne Slot Wins the League in His First Season 13:41 - What’s Next for Trent Alexander-Arnold? 18:46 - Rebecca Lowe Dreams of Palace FA Cup Glory 21:49 - Ancelotti to Brazil? 23:57 - FanDuel Predictions: Can Chelsea Beat Liverpool? 28:05 - Emil Forsberg on MLS Life, Messi & More 39:35 - Gary Neville on Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers 41:22 - Premier League Draft with an NFL Twist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this MLS Special of It’s Called Soccer, Rebecca Lowe is joined by USMNT star Diego Luna, MLS legend Taylor Twellman, and FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan to break down the biggest headlines from around Major League Soccer.Diego Luna shares how he went from Dutch Bros barista to MLS Young Player of the Year, what shaped his path to Real Salt Lake, and why 2026 World Cup dreams are already driving him.Taylor Twellman tackles Atlanta United’s culture crisis, weighs in on Kevin De Bruyne’s rumored MLS move, and debates whether Columbus or Miami are true contenders for the crown.Pat Noonan opens up about his coaching philosophy at Cincinnati, working with Evander and Denkey, and how his non-negotiables are shaping a title-chasing team.Plus: Rebecca reveals her Sacramento MLS campaign, Twellman goes rapid fire in the “Swift Round,” and we dig into MLS’s biggest storylines heading into the summer stretch.🎧 Catch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and sound off in the comments with your boldest MLS takes!Find your push. Find your power with Peloton at https://onepeloton.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices