Sounders FC Pod-Cast With Brad and Zak – Details, episodes & analysis

Zak and Brad are back to recap a thrilling, but ultimately disappointing US Open Cup exit for your Seattle Sounders. Co-hosts Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans breakdown the 1-0 loss to LAFC before turning their attention to MLS play. The Rave Green sit in 5th place in the Western Conference table, and are just one point shy of a Top-4 seed as the team hits the home stretch ahead of the playoffs. Our co-hosts preview what's sure to be a can't-miss rivalry matchup this weekend down in Portland, and discuss what the Sounders need to do on the road to come out with three points against the Portland Timbers. 

Sounders return to MLS regular season action on August 24th, and the Sounders FC PODCast Presented by Toyota is back to break it all down. Co-hosts Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans first recap the Sounders run in Leagues Cup, ending with a loss to Western Conference rival-LAFC. The Rave Green hit the road this weekend to Minnesota before returning home to host LAFC at Starfire Sports for the US Open Cup Semifinal, and Zak and Brad give their thoughts on both matchups. And of course, a quick call to action from both hosts to attend or watch Reign FC on Sunday, August 25th as the franchise is set to retire legend Megan Rapinoe's jersey at Lumen Field. 

On this week's episode, co-hosts Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans breakdown a stretch of Sounders FC results, the highlight of course being the Rave Green's 2-1 US Open Cup victory over USL-side Phoenix Rising. Zak and Brad discuss what players need to step up on the attacking side, and how Pedro De La Vega can help the offense flip a switch through the rest of the regular season (and hopefully beyond). Brad also previews his own return to the pitch as a participant in the 2024 TST -- June 5-9 from Cary, North Carolina. Tune-in to watch Brad and his teammates from Sneaky Fox FC try and win a million dollars. 

Sounders take on St. Louis City on May 25th, kickoff at 5:30 PT. Tune-in on Apple TV - MLS Season Pass and on the radio on 93.3 KJR FM / 1360 El Rey for Spanish language. 

On this week's episode on the Side x Side podcast, with special guest Kelyn Rowe:

Recapping 2-0 win vs Houston Dynamo (1:04)
Sounders break MLS record for best start to a season (2:22)
Secrets to the Rave Green's success (7:01)
Brad and Steve play a game of "Guess Who" (17:01)
Kelyn Rowe joins the pod and discusses scoring his first goal as a Sounder (20:51)
Rowe on his post-MLS career starting up his own wine bar (28:30)
Euro Final predictions (37:17)
Copa America thoughts and predictions (41:46)

Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans are back this week for another episode of Side x Side, where the former Sounders breakdown a tough point vs Vancouver at the weekend and rank where Ruidiaz is in the Pantheon of MLS strikers.  With a 4th of July matchup with the Rapids in Colorado looming, they welcome in Rapids and USMNT legend Marcelo Balboa to preview the matchup, who Sounders fans should keep an eye on, and tells us why he's so excited about this group of USMNT players.

Lamar Neagle is back with another episode of Side x Side: Community Spotlight.  With June being PRIDE month, the former Sounder attacker welcomes founder of The Intentionalist Laura Clise on to tell you how to spend like it matters in our LGBTQ+ community.  BJ Kuntz, the Assistant Director of the WIAA, also stops by to share how they are creating a safe and inclusive environment for our youth to participate in sports across the state of Washington.

Side x Side is back after a one-week hiatus with plenty of Sounders FC news to catch up on. This week's guest host is none other than your favorite play-by-play guru Keith Costigan, and he joins Steve Zakuani and Keely Dunning to preview discuss the first leg of the season (1:36), breakdown the various forward pairings at Schemtzer's disposal (10:00), preview Saturday's match at LA Galaxy (13:09), and give their hot takes on the MLS season so far (28:36). 

This week on the Side x Side Podcast:

-- Recap of 0-0 draw vs Austin FC (1:10)
-- Starting Fredy Montero vs Starting Will Bruin (4:28)
-- What we learned about Austin FC (9:09)
-- Takeaways from Sounders season so far (12:30)
-- Importance of coaching with injuries to stars (13:49)
-- Another fun round of Sounders Over/Under (20:25)
-- Some info on Brad Evans' new project Contrib (24:36)

It's officially the 100th episode celebration of the podcast, and what better way to send it than by showcasing the OG host and first ever Sounders FC draft pick, Steve Zakuani. Brad Evans, Keely Dunning and more Front Office Fairy Godparents surprise Steve with a few guests from his past and present - first, his former roommate and teammate Patrick Ianni, then his former college coach and current Columbus Crew head coach Caleb Porter, and finally current Sounders front office guru and former Sounders defender Taylor Graham. From all of us in Rave Green nation: a big thank you to our favorite flying winger. 

The Sounders are lighting up the pitch and hosts Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans along with Keely Dunning have lots of thoughts following a big win vs LAFC (1:37).  They then discuss the versatility of this current Sounders roster (5:12) and why it's been such a big part of the squad's success so far. On the flip side, is this the last year in LAFC's championship window with their current team (7:47)? Then, time to turn the page with a preview of Atlanta United and a comparison between ATL and SEA as "model" expansion franchises (10:44). And, speaking of expansion franchises, Steve asks the million dollar question: are the Sounders still the bright, shiny franchise in MLS (20:23). Sounders defender Shane O'Neill joins the pod (21:59) and discusses the fast start (23:31), playing in a 3-CB system (26:26), how his time playing for Orlando has prepared him to play in a 3-5-2 (31:09) and finally whether he remains an eligible bachelor in Seattle (33:55). Our hosts close the pod with quick predictions vs ATL (35:07) and another round of Over/Under (36:39).