Explore every episode of the podcast 25 Stories That Made MLS
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2E4 Chad Marshall - MLS Hall of Fame | 24 Aug 2020 | 00:53:41 | |
It's a set piece, it's a header, it's a goal, It's Chad Marshall. The Brothers talk about the unassuming defender that played exclusively in MLS and finished with the best career for a defender in MLS history, including the most Defender of the Year awards by a player ever. Productivity, Longevity and Nudity by Sam Staejkal Berhalter trades Marshall Financially motivated Tom Bogert and the transition of Seattle & Marshall: https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/11/08/inside-how-seattle-sounders-transitioned-through-chad-marshalls-retirement | |||
| S2E3 - Dwayne De Rosario - MLS Hall of Fame | 14 Aug 2020 | 00:50:11 | |
The third entry to the brother's MLS Hall of Fame is Dwayne De Rosario. An MLS legend and Canadian legend that didn't make it to MLS until 23 and didn't become a starter until 26 but put together an all time career including a record six MLS Best XIs. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/23/dwayne-de-rosario-dc-united-vegan Dero has the eye for the dynamic https://www.therecord.com/sports/2015/05/12/dwayne-de-rosario-always-had-an-eye-for-the-dramatic.html Dero Racism - for Midland Today: https://www.midlandtoday.ca/national-sports/bent-de-rosario-recall-racism-in-germany-early-in-their-pro-careers-2442147 | |||
| S2E2 Jaime Moreno - MLS Hall of Fame | 07 Aug 2020 | 00:39:48 | |
The DC United talisman, Jaime Moreno, is the second person in our first class of MLS Hall of Fame. The first person into the 100/100 club, learn about how Moreno grew up in the same academy as Marco Etcheverry, became the first Bolivian in the EPL before landing in MLS. He would have almost two careers across two eras filled with stats and trophies. Moreno finds peace by Rachel Alexander https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-11/11/075r-111199-idx.html Charles Boehm interview for MLS https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/06/03/mls-legends-jaime-moreno-discusses-his-successes-and-regrets-d-c-s-greatest-player | |||
| S2.E1 Landon Donovan - MLS Hall of Fame | 31 Jul 2020 | 00:59:32 | |
The brothers kick of season 2 with our series of the first 25 players that should enter the MLS Hall of Fame (as soon as it's made). The first name leading the way in our MLS Hall of Fame? Who else but the greatest American player of all time, Landon Donovan. | |||
| Introducing Season 2 & MLS IS BACK! | 25 Jul 2020 | 00:35:29 | |
Tutul and Neetol come out of their hibernation to announce season 2, which will have two seperate series: | |||
| 25. Saved The Crew | 27 Mar 2020 | 00:32:18 | |
How passionate fans of the Columbus Crew organized, protested and eventually saved the Crew and what it means to be a fan moving forward. Shout out to Keith Naas @Knass who helped proofread the outline How Columbus #SavedTheCrew by Arlo Moore-Bloom https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2019/11/08/columbus-crew-mls-save-the-crew Precourt takes thoughtful approach in Remaking the Crew https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/07/27/Franchises/Anthony-Precourt.aspx Columbus Crew Angling Toward Relocation in 2019 by Grant Wahl https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/10/17/columbus-crew-austin-texas-anthony-precourt-stadium Save The Crew: A Timeline of Columbus’ Efforts To Save The Soccer Team Crew Fans Gather At City Hall To Protest by Chelsea Wiley https://www.columbusnavigator.com/crew-sc-fans-gather-at-city-hall-to-protest/ Austin Texas Gets A Major League Soccer Deal as Columbus Ohio Gets Stiffed by Jason Notte | |||
| 24. Miggy and Tata | 26 Mar 2020 | 00:30:35 | |
How a bond between a player and a coach resulted in an unbelievable but for an MLS Expansion team, the largest sale in MLS history and an opening of an unprecedented pipeline of Latin American talent. Lanús acordó la incorporación del volante Miguel Almirón http://sportwitness.co.uk/exclusive-agent-confirms-arsenal-approach-player-delighted-sign/ Atlanta United signs Miguel Almirón, hopefully sparking a trend of ambitious MLS signings by Kim McCauley https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2016/12/5/13829982/miguel-almiron-atlanta-united-transfer-fee-salary Atlanta, Tata and Me by Miguel Almiron https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/miguel-almiron-atlanta-united Newcastle Must Up Offer For Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron | |||
| 23. The Development and Sale of Alphonso Davies | 25 Mar 2020 | 00:30:35 | |
How a Canadian phenom who's parents escaped a Liberian Civil War to settle in Edmonton eventually became MLS' greatest export and glimpse to the future it may hold. The War in Liberia by Sarah Left https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/04/westafrica.qanda Becoming Canadian - The Alphonso Davies Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqt5u1jtvGw Why Bayern Munich, the two paths of Alphonso Davies Next Generation 2017 - 60 Best Talents In Football | |||
| 22. The New Giants - Atlanta United and LAFC | 24 Mar 2020 | 00:28:48 | |
How two new clubs, Atlanta United and LAFC, in MLS embraced the 3.0 model and became the giants in the league from spending, relevance and marketing. Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank for the Entreprenuer https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/197614 Home Depot Founder To Buy Falcons by the AP https://www.wired.com/2001/12/home-depot-founder-to-buy-falcons/ Falcons Owner Puts In Bid For MLS Franchise https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-10-14-4126789750_x.htm Atlanta Might Be Considered By Potential MLS Owner by Doug Roberson https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-may-considered-potential-mls-owner/7QkbejYIxLzKZUkht0palI/ Garber Reaffirms Miami, Atlanta Reaffirms As Expansion Favorites https://sbisoccer.com/2013/12/indicates-expansion-favorites Tycoons 10 Year Crusade to Get a Big Mac In Vietnam Expansion LA soccer team plans new stadium on Sports Arena site by Kevin Baxter https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-la-soccer-stadium-20150518-story.html | |||
| 21. Entering MLS 3.0 | 23 Mar 2020 | 00:34:24 | |
How a report from a consultant group led to a new salary mechanism which propelled player spending in MLS to new heights. Inside the Confidential 2016 Study That Provided The Blueprint From MLS Modern Era by Paul Tenorio & Pablo Maurer https://www.mlssoccer.com/glossary/targeted-allocation-money MLS HQ Denials of TAM Contracts Frustrating Front Offices by Paul Tenorio MLS Rejected TAM Offers To Joevan Jones and Stefan Frei by Jeremiah Oshan for Sounders At Heart https://www.sounderatheart.com/2018/6/5/17430732/joevin-jones-stefan-frei-denied-tam-contracts | |||
| 20. Return of the Yanks - Dempsey, Bradley, Jozy and Beasley | 12 Mar 2020 | 00:51:10 | |
How four American stars were developed in MLS, got sold to Europe, had success and then returned to have more success and money than could've been imagined. How Seattle’s Stunning Clint Dempsey Deal Got Done by Grant Wahl https://www.si.com/soccer/2013/08/05/clint-dempsey-seattle-sounders-mls Beasley Angered by MLS Decision by Rupert Lowe for Daily Echo https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5571343.beasley-angered-by-mls-decision/ Texas Tough: Dempsey’s Upbringing in Naco-Nowhere Led to US Dream by Melissa Segura https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/06/09/dempsey Transfer of Power For Revolution by Frank Del’Appa for Boston Globe The Michael Bradley Project by Simon Borg Beasley Adds Finishing Gloss to Rangers Rout of Lyon by Steve Douglas https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/oct/03/match.championsleague2 Dempsey’s Gamble To Knock Out Juventus Out Of Europa League Michael Bradley’s Transfer To MLS Complete by Jeremiah Oshan https://www.sbnation.com/2014/1/8/5289774/michael-bradley-transfer-mls-roma-toronto-fc-details | |||
| 19. The History of CBAs & Free Agency | 05 Mar 2020 | 00:47:44 | |
In our most technical episode yet, the brothers talk about how each collective bargaining agreement evolved player movement and salary spends of MLS that has helped shape the league today. https://nypost.com/2010/02/25/old-mls-cba-expires-but-no-strike-imminent/ Players Want Big Changes In MLS Structure by Simon Evans Financial Data At Issue As CBA Negotiations Kick Off by Liz Mullen and Tripp Mickle Details of 2010 MLS CBA by Brian Lewis https://nypost.com/2010/03/23/details-of-mls-cba/ MLS Players Union Bob Foose reveal new best details of CBA by Brian Strauss https://www.si.com/soccer/2015/03/06/mls-cba-deal-players-union-bob-foose-todd-dunivant Breaking Down The New MLS CBA For 2020 by Chad C Smith | |||
| 18. The Reinvention of Kansas City | 27 Feb 2020 | 00:29:54 | |
How the MLS team in Kansas City went from being last in attendance and fan engagement to being a model MLS franchise that's always sold out - one of the best turnarounds in all of sports. Special thanks to Mike McGrew and Mike Kuhn Lamar Hunt Sells MLS Wizards to Local Group http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/soccer/id/2567849 Serious Investment and Savvy Marketing Revive Soccer In Kansas City by Sam Borden As expected City Council Gives Approval to Three Trail Project https://web.archive.org/web/20080628164818/http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node%2F8940 WiZards Stadium project kicked over state lines by Kevin Collison for the KC Star https://web.archive.org/web/20090912055722/http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1433346.html WiZards Kick off Zard Era https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/wizards-kick-off-zard-card-era/n-1989400 TBT the Rochester Wizards http://www.downthebyline.com/2015/07/tbt-rochester-wizards.html?m=1 Nine years ago, KC at Brink of losing the MLS team by Sam McDowell Star Bonds and Location Make Sporting Park a Star by Patrick Riche for Forbes Sporting KC and Soccer Development by Scott Fenwick | |||
| 17. The Homegrown Rule | 24 Feb 2020 | 00:43:04 | |
How MLS' Homegrown Rule pushed MLS teams to nurture young talent in their academies and why it took so long to take hold and meet it's full potential. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502163.html LA Galaxy Sign 17 Year Old Tristan Bowen RSL Push The Envelope With A Residency Program by Randy Davis for MLS Soccer https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/12/13/rsl-push-envelope-residency-program Evolution Of MLS Academies by Paul Tenorio for Four Four Two www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/rating-mls-academies-homegrown-players-youth-development-progress 20 Years Of FC Dallas Homegrown Players by Buzz Carrick for Dallas News https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/fc-dallas/2017/10/27/20-years-fc-dallas-homegrown-players/ MLS USL Reach Deal For Restructured Reserve League by Matthew Doyle for MLS Soccer https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league | |||
| 16. The Supporters Shield and the Cascadia Cup | 20 Feb 2020 | 00:36:44 | |
How the supporter culture and following of MLS teams led to the creation of one of the three main trophies & the eventual expansion into 3 new teams. https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2011/2/15/1995978/a-history-of-the-supporters-shield A Pacific Passion Play by Grant Wahl for SI https://www.si.com/vault/2011/05/23/106070650/a-pacific-passion-play https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/8/15/20805034/sounders-new-ownership-changes-faq https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls-expected-to-announce-vancouver-expansion-team-1.821469 https://www.timbers.com/post/2007/05/22/timbers-introduce-new-owner-merritt-paulson-0 | |||
| BONUSODE! - Let's Grade All The New MLS Kits! | 08 Feb 2020 | 01:05:56 | |
Neetol grades every new MLS Jersey from a designer's point of view. Tutul chimes in with some marketing points. | |||
| 15. I've Got A Fever & The Only Prescription Is More CCL | 08 Feb 2020 | 00:44:12 | |
How two corrupt CONCACAF officials made Concacaf Champions League which eventually propelled MLS to improve their quality of play. http://real-football.blogspot.com/2006/10/mls-answers-to-20-questions-for-don.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jun-27-sp-cuptv27-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071223013023/http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.asp?id=4025 | |||
| 14. Beckham & Blanco - Enter the Designated Player Era | 05 Feb 2020 | 01:00:22 | |
How the largest signing in league history, David Beckham, happened in the first place and how it changed the direction of MLS forever. Soccer Player Beckham Sparks $13m in Sales by Curtis Eichelberger for NY Sun https://www.nysun.com/national/soccer-player-beckham-sparks-13m-in-sales/52872/ 15 Years of the Don by Grant Wahl for SI https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer Q&A with Grant Wahl by Jack Bell for NY Times https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/qa-with-grant-wahl-author-of-the-beckham-experiment/ Galaxy has Becks Appeal by Graham Jones for LA Times www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-12-sp-beckham12-story.html Beckham is MLS Expansion Story Du Jour by Paul Kennedy for Soccer America https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/51723/beckham-is-mls-expansion-story-du-jour.html http://thesportsbizblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/fire-to-be-sold-to-bronfman-family.html | |||
| BONUSODE! - The State of the USA 2020 | 27 Jan 2020 | 00:56:58 | |
An early BONUSODE at the pods halfway point. The brothers discuss the state of the pod and give shoutouts (04:10), talk about Gressel and Chicharito (13:55), and close with comparing the players in this January camp vs the team that lost in Trinidad in 2017 (29:15). | |||
| 13. Northward Bound to Toronto | 23 Jan 2020 | 00:34:36 | |
How MLS expanded into Canada for the first time, stepping into MLS 2.0 for the first time. The brothers also talk about the long windy road that made the circumstances right for Toronto FC to join the league. “A nice little job to learn stuff by” By Duncan Fletcher for SB Nation: https://www.wakingthered.com/2013/9/9/4705472/tfc-a-nice-little-job-for-anselmi-to-learn-stuff-by-richard-peddie-tom-anselmi-mlse Maple Leaf Owners Through The Ages by Jeremy Sandler for the National Post: https://archive.ph/20140320041448/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/12/01/maple-leafs-owners-through-the-ages/ Ali Passed Big Test In First Visit by Stephen Brunt for The Globe And Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/ali-passed-big-test-on-first-visit/article757264/ Toronto Soccer Stadium Approves Soccer Stadium Deal for CBC Sports: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/toronto-city-council-approves-soccer-stadium-deal-1.536727 | |||
| 12. Do You Know The Way To San Jose | 22 Jan 2020 | 00:34:02 | |
How the business plan and strategy that saved the league also came with a bad side: the relocation of a storied franchise. Luckily it works out in the long run for the San Jose Earthquakes. What now for Columbus? Learning From the Earthquakes Relocation And Retrun by Scott French for Four Four Two Earthquakes Look At Houston by Graham Jones for LA Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-nov-16-sp-mls16-story.html Houston a Contender To Land MLS Team by Chris Duncan for Associated Press https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602099.html A Closer Look At Tim Lieweke by Robert McLoed For the Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/a-closer-look-at-tim-leiweke/article11590800/ Moving Toward a United State by Graham Jones for LA Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-nov-14-sp-leiweke14-story.html | |||
| 11. The American Savior - Freddy Adu | 09 Jan 2020 | 00:44:22 | |
How MLS's first true star to penetrate pop culture came in a 14 year old, Freddy Adu in 2004. A 12-YEAR OLD’s AMAZING FEAT by Jason La Canfora for Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/08/25/a-12-year-olds-amazing-feat/9923da6b-4f3d-4f9a-bd31-bb67449c437f/ READY FOR FREDDY? AT 14, FREDDY ADU IS ALREADY THE HIGHEST PAID AND MOST CELEBRATED PLAYER IN MLS by Grant Wahl for Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/vault/2004/03/29/366282/ready-for-freddy-at-14-freddy-adu-is-already-the-highest-paid-and-most-celebrated-player-in-mls-now-its-time-for-him-to-play-his-first-game Freddy Adu assist against Argentina in 2003 u20 World Cup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMk33g4PthI Seriously, What Happened To Freddy Adu by Noah Davis for Grantland: https://grantland.com/the-triangle/freddy-adu-us-national-team-mls-2015/ Much Adieu About Freddy by Timothy DeSchriver: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289978174_Much_Adieu_about_Freddy_Freddy_Adu_and_Attendance_in_Major_League_Soccer | |||
| 10. Enter New Owners & Re-Expansion | 01 Jan 2020 | 00:32:46 | |
How MLS went from 3 owners and 10 teams in 2003 to 6 owners and 12 teams in 2005. Includes the new owner for Colorado Rapids, and the entry of Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake. From Owner to Quietest Sports Emperor by Jere Longman https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/sports/soccer/15owner.html Mexico’s Chivas to Play MLS All-Stars by Grahame Jones https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-24-sp-chivas24-story.html 2 Decades of MLS https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/03/02/In-Depth/Timeline.aspx How Real Salt Lake Went From Dave Checketts to Del Roy Hansen https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2017/2/2/14395874/real-salt-lake-checketts-hansen-ownership-style | |||
| BONUSODE! - To A Happy New CBA Year | 01 Jan 2020 | 00:41:36 | |
The brothers talk about what to look forward to in the new year including the new schedule, CBA negotiations and our wishes for the next MLS season. | |||
| 9. The Project 40 Pipeline | 13 Dec 2019 | 00:18:00 | |
How a co-venture between US Soccer and MLS brought a new pipeline of talent into the league. | |||
| 8. The Internet Killed MLS's Quirks | 09 Dec 2019 | 00:30:18 | |
Early MLS had some weird rules. No ties. Running shootouts. Clocks going up and not down. 4th subs for goalkeepers. What's weirder were some of the rules they were looking at, like bigger goals or kick-ins instead of throw ins. Listen to how Don Garber, the internet and Bob Bradley each had a hand in ending those rules. https://taleoftwohalves.uk/featured/rise-fall-golden-goal The Rise and Fall of The Golden Goal by Liam Togher https://rbnn.us/2018/09/26/cheatin-bob-bradley-and-one-very-quirky-mls-rule/ Cheatin Bob Bradley and One very Quirky MLS Rule by Roy Emanuel
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| 7. Manchester By A Transfer | 05 Dec 2019 | 00:28:32 | |
How Tim Howard was scouted as a prospect, became an MLS star and eventually transferred to the best team in the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxnHbC-hYOw | |||
| 6. The Boss | 02 Dec 2019 | 00:25:00 | |
How a former US national lacrosse and soccer player became the most accomplished coach in MLS and US Soccer history. Dissecting Bruce Arena’s Legacy “USMNT competing at World Cup with Cornellian Bruce Arena At Its Helm” by Alex Kwan http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/05/us-men-play-bruce-arena-style-soccer-world-cup | |||
| BONUSODE - A Pro/Rel Thanksgiving | 28 Nov 2019 | 00:35:10 | |
The brothers take a break from the 25 Stories to thank those who are listening and to then debate the merits of Promotion / Relegation in the US. | |||
| 5. Uncle Phil's Ranch | 25 Nov 2019 | 00:27:48 | |
The brothers talk about the most important meeting in Major League Soccer history. https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/01/25/sum-soccer-united-marketing-garber-gulati-carter MLS goes to near extinction to remarkable success by Kevin Baxter for LA times - https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20151206-story.html Don Garber “Truly an Honor” by German Sferra for US Soccer https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/10/don-garber-truly-an-honor
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| 4. Bradenton | 21 Nov 2019 | 00:24:55 | |
Tutul tells the story of how a 1998 World Cup failure and a report from a foreign coach led to the first soccer residency which would change the face from MLS in the early 2000s. Bradenton’s Residence Is Dead, What Does It All Mean - https://www.soccerwire.com/resources/bradenton-residency-is-dead-what-does-it-all-mean/ US Soccer Closes u17 Residency Program by David Wilson and Jason Dill - https://www.bradenton.com/sports/article139261328.html | |||
| 3. Sweet Home Columbus | 19 Nov 2019 | 00:25:05 | |
Tutul tells the story of how the combination of an ambitious owner, declining attendance, financial losses, losing public votes and stadium repairs led to the first soccer specific stadium in the US. Columbus Crew SC: A Look Back At Team History for the Columbus Dispatch: https://www.timesreporter.com/news/20171016/columbus-crew-sc-look-back-at-teams-history Columbus Needs A Place To Call Home: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-15-9802140258-story.html
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| 2. Fraser Goes Down | 14 Nov 2019 | 00:24:19 | |
Neetol takes over host duties. Tutul tells the story of how a failed lawsuit established the backbone of the MLS business model - single entity. Neetol explains that MLS is basically like Applebees. How MLS Single Entity Status Works and Its Relationship with Antitrust Law by Terry Brenna in Law In Sport: https://www.lawinsport.com/content/articles/item/how-mls-single-entity-status-works-and-its-relationship-with-antitrust-law | |||
| 1. 1984 | 12 Nov 2019 | 00:25:03 | |
In the first episode, Tutul tells the story of how the soccer tournament in the 1984 Olympics eventually led to the founding of Major League Soccer. Swiss Rolled how Alan Rothenberg became USSoccer president by Tim Froh - Howler Magazine: https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/united-states/660/blog/post/3376403/how-alan-rothenberg-became-us-soccer-president-in-1990-changed-american-soccer-howler-magazine An oral history of major league soccer frenzied first season by Doug Sibor for Complex Sports: https://www.complex.com/sports/2015/05/oral-history-major-league-soccer-first-season | |||