Puro SAFC

Clayton and Matt talk about SAFC’s 1-1 home draw with Austin Bold on Saturday night in SA. Jose Gallegos salvaged a 1-1 tie in the 92nd minute after a rather leggy performance from the home team. Too many games? Not enough squad rotation? We also saw a new, old goalkeeper. Then we look forward to another “English week” with a Wednesday night game home vs. OKC and then again Saturday home to Tulsa....

Clayton and Matt live-pod during SAFC’s 0-0 tie on the road to Tulsa. The tie marked a 3 game undefeated road trip from the squad, with a combined 7-2 goal difference. We discuss what went right, which players are stepping up, and if it’s all just fools gold due to weak opposition. Finally, we preview Saturday’s “home” game vs Austin Bold and, as always, Free Kicks. Enjoy!

SAFC is home again, after all these months, hosting RHV in a rematch at Toyota Field. There were no fans in the stands, though, so Clayton and Matt talk about the 1-0 win as well as the at-home viewing experience. Free kicks: is baseball or soccer with no fans better on tv, and also Clayton’s newfound love of Minnesota United. Enjoy!

It’s been a long wait but SAFC is back! Matt and Clayton discuss Friday night’s... oops, no... Sunday’s 1-1 tie at Rio Grande Valley. New starters, new formation, new season format. And yet, the good guys end up losing a late lead on the road, settling for a tie. Unfortunately, the recording paused around the 34:10 mark, so some of our thoughts about the new GK and water break will remain hidden f...

In a special welcome back to USL play podcast, Matt and Clayton talk to SAFC Assistant Coach Lee Williams! We ask about: -A day in the life of the team during Covid -How is the restart working -Lee’s path to becoming an SAFC coach -The SAFC academy program and youth development -SAFC’s formation/shape -Comparing SAFC to Lee’s native Swansea club -What goes into creating a club culture -And, of cou...

Matt and Clayton talk about the impending return of USL soccer! This Friday night, El Paso will host fans for their home game... oops, no, scratch that. Sunday night Louisville does! We discuss the groups, schedule, as protocols as well as listener questions related to the restart. Fingers crossed, SAFC will kick off July 17th. As always, free kicks.

Clayton and Matt are back to talk about what we’ve seen in the European return to soccer. Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down to fake crowd noise? Fake Fans? Water Breaks in the Euro heat? The real reason for all of this: What can SAFC learn from the European Soccer ‘Rona Soccer Seasons? As always, free kicks. Enjoy!

We talk about the return of the Bundesliga: What have we liked or not liked about post-pandemic soccer. Also, the Premier League and American sports are making plans to come back. What should the MLS, the USL, and of course, SAFC do?

Matt and Clayton call up Michael of the “Wise Men Say” podcast in Sunderland, England to talk about the other SAFC, Sunderland AFC. We talk about the Netflix series “Sunderland Til I Die” and second division soccer on both sides of the pond. We discuss topics like: - Was the Netflix series a fair or accurate depiction of the club, city, and fans? - How does Michael feel about the American players...

We answer five listener questions: 1. What are some recent rule changes that improve the game, going back 30 years? - Dave S. 2. A “SAFC 2030" look into the future? Can be as optimistic or pessimistic as you'd like. - Andrew C. 3. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? -Justin B. 4. Bundesliga will start this Saturday. Give an introduction of players and teams to your listeners that will start watching it...

Clayton and Shaddock re-live the best goals they’ve ever seen, live and in person. From high school bicycle kicks to World Cup in Russia, Messi in Houston to World Cup in Dallas, we go near and far in our memory books. Even as close to home as a Scorpion kick by a San Antonio Scorpion. Listeners chimed in with their personal stories, from a 13 year old in the Rose Bowl to a 70 year old in Moscow....

Shaddock and Clayton Draft our epic Qatar 2022 teams, complete with managers and a bench. Respond with your pick of who would win the game. Each reader pick is a goal for Clayton or Shaddock. Who will win? Clayton: Mbappe - Lewandawski - Sancho Neymar Jr. Pogba - Casamieo Andy R-Van Dyck-Koulibaly-Kimmich Oblack Bench: Bonucci, Veratti, David Neres Shaddock: S. Mane - Kane - Messi K De Bruyne Thia...

Where were you when....? Clayton and Shaddock discuss their Top 5 US National Team games. We “travel” via soccer to Trinidad, Korea, Africa and Brazil, and of corse, Columbus, Ohio. Looking for something to watch instead of Netflix? Try one of these vintage US game on YouTube. Finally, Clayton recaps an SAFC game for the ages.

We discuss our picks of the all time most influential US national team players, men or women. Some surprises, along with lots of listener suggestions. Enjoy!

Now that we’ve all got a bit more free time on our hands due to social distancing and shelter-in-place, we discuss our Top 5 books related to soccer. We both agree on one thing: “How Soccer Explains The World” by Franklin Foer is our favorite book related to soccer. Give it a read in these strange times. What’s YOUR favorite book related to soccer? Did we miss a book? Listen all the way to the end...

With USL and other leagues suspended due to corona virus, we discuss our Top 5 Visual Media Pieces About or Pertaining to Soccer, aka Top 5 Soccer Movies. We each surprise each other and give some things to spend a couple hours of our life on. As always, free kicks. Enjoy!

We discuss Saturdays dramatic season opener, a 1-0 home win for SAFC. What did we learn? What did we not learn? How did the team play? How do the new players look? Lots to discuss, as well as a preview of what we’ll be looking for in this week’s Spring Break game at Colorado Springs. Finally, Free Kicks about Corona virus in soccer and Olympic Qualifying. Enjoy!

We preview the upcoming season in advance of Saturday’s home opener vs Real Salt Lake. We take turns highlighting what’s new: the coach, the team, the players, the jersey. We also give a quick info to the opponent, Real Monarchs, and make a few season predictions. As always, we end with Free Kicks. Enjoy!

Listen to our special preview of tomorrow night’s SAFC home game vs FC Dallas. We kept this weeks episode short (30 min) so you can listen to it on your way to the game! Dallas has some exciting players and SAFC will also feature their new signings. As always, free kicks end the show.

Matt, Clayton and our special guest Steve the Soccer Dad recorded live at the Reagan vs Central Catholic high school boys game to discuss the state of the high school game. Questions like: what is high school soccer, what’s the point, does it matter, what does it teach, what’s would we change, and should pro prospects like Jose Gallegos even be playing it. Enjoy!

Clayton and Matthew discuss all the latest SAFC news in the form of New Years Resolutions. We make new goals on the home opener March 7th, the 2020 full schedule, new signings (Blake, Hunter, Jesus, Conner, and Hayden) and the departure of 8 former SAFC players to new clubs. As always, we end with free kicks, this time about high school soccer. Enjoy!

Clayton and Matthew give each other Boxing Day presents, in the spirit of Britain’s Boxing Day. A USL All Star Game? Check. A local pro veteran signing? Check. A pen empty Brazilian shaped box? Check. And more... Enjoy!

SAFC hires Alen Marcina, former assistant coach, to be their new head coach for the 2020 season. What to think? We give our initial thoughts, discuss what his first agenda item should be, and more. We also answer listener questions related to the new coach. Enjoy! We’ll be back next week with our Christmas Wish List.

We give thanks for all things USL (really) and review all the interesting off-season news that’s broken lately: - USL Championship Game - SAFC’s own Christian Parano named USL Young Player of the Season - SAFC’s boy-wonder Jose Gallegos signs a college scholarship offer - USL mandates all teams play in soccer specific stadiums by 2020 - Expansion (San Diego and Queens) and Contraction (both teams...

We discuss the shocking dismissal of Coach Powell last week, then go on to review the club, the USL, and our own pod. Don’t miss Clayton’s own “Dear SAFC” letter. Enjoy!