That’s So MLS

This week we take a look at the NWSL Challenge Cup, with a breakdown of all the games and some really good soccer. We also look at the still developing Fyre Festival-esque conditions in Orlando, as #MLSisback looks further and further away from being a reality.

Just as MLS is announcing its return, so too are we. We catch up on what's been going on in our lives, talk about some more head scratching changes at the Whitecaps, and the planned (emphasis on "planned") return of NWSL and MLS. As we publish this, Orlando Pride have pulled out of the tournament they are hosting and Florida's Covid-19 infections continue to rise. We also talk about the response b...

While there may not be much soccer action...anywhere, Andrew got Halifax Wanderers head coach Stephen Hart on the line to talk about how the team is doing, what his plans are, some MLS legends, and looking back at different eras of soccer for inspiration.

Nick and Bates return to talk about the suspension of MLS, and most of live sports, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including what teams are doing, what an eventual season would look like, soccer fans drawing strength in community and the challenge of not having the answers. Plus, Bates' FIFA journey and brainstorming what MLS quarantine content we want to see.

Week 2 was a barnstormer with some... interesting draws, some wild wins, and some just ugly performances from a few teams. We talk about CB worldies, bizarre red cards, and Colorado's ability to just annoy everyone with late winners.

MLS is finally back and there's SO much to cover in Week 1. We talk about the teams that surprised us (and everyone), terrible news from Atlanta, Colorado's strong start, and clubs where we think "what exactly is the plan here?" We also talk about the bizarre play that somehow resulted in just a yellow card for goalkeeper Joe Willis.

This week, we break down every single MLS team and where we think they will be four months into the season. We talk about the clubs that have made big moves in the off season, as well as the one's who seemed to not know they could make transfers, and of course: the clubs who are brand new.

Nick and Andrew are back as the countdown to the MLS season ticks down, with discussion of Christine Sinclair breaking the goals record, Canada's Olympic qualifying tournament, the new CBA, Atletico Ottawa and more.

Nick and Bates talk the MLS Draft in its newer, streamlined form, comings and goings in silly season and tidbits from the NWSL and CanPL.

Nick and Bates come back for the final episode of 2019, featuring a bevy of offseason news! Lucas Cavallini and Alan Pulido make their appearances, Charlotte joins the party, and the Reign got bought. Also, we talk the Whitecaps' Safe Sports review with Dina Bell-Laroche, partner in the Sport Law and Strategy Group firm who conducted it.  Read the review:  https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.ne...

This week we take a look at all the moves with the expansion draft, the re-entry draft, some future space money transactions and a slew of news that includes a shock move for Luis Robles and Montreal bringing in Thierry Henry to coach. We also take a look at some

And just like that, it's all over. Bates and I break down Seattle's pretty dominant display over Toronto FC, despite the latter's valiant effort. We go deep on this one, looking at the tactics and what's next for each team.

In what few could have predicted but none could really be surprised by. we break down the conference final results as we get ready for ANOTHER Seattle Sounders/Toronto FC MLS Cup Final. Apart from all the MLS drama and heartbreak, we also take a look to the very odd Canadian Premier League Final and the NWSL Cup final that we think might have been more interesting than the result.   This week's ep...

Nick and Bates talk the MLS and NWSL playoffs, including a wild night in Seattle, TFC being filled with determination and LA teams skipping the "defense" part.

This week we look at Canada's historic victory over the US Men's National Team, as well as go in depth to setting up all of the MLS Playoff games. We ties up a few loose ends with CanPL and NWSL to round out the show and make our predictions for who will be this playoff round's victors.

Nick and Bates talk all the MLS action from Decision Day and reflect on the regular season that was, Carlos Vela's historic performance and how teams are shaping up heading into the playoffs.

In a week of wild red cards and results, we break down a busy week as #DecisionDay looms... or drags on, depending what conference you're in. We talk about MLS' change in stance on the Irone Front symbol, a bit of Nick in Atlanta with some hot takes, and Andrew schools Nick on why the Canadian Championship matters.

In a weird week of 0-0 draws, we look at how things are shaping up before the playoffs. We also talk about some of the teams who won't be in the playoffs and how their fortunes look going into the off-season, as well as another week of Ibra skill, bizarre calls, and even a red card to the all time leading MLS goal scorer, Chris Wondolowski... from the bench.

Nick and Bates talk the week's MLS games, including a goal that wasn't, the LA Galaxy rout of Kansas City, what defenders should be asking for in the next CBA and a walkout in Seattle.

Nick and Bates talk all the games on a lighter international break week, NWSL, Canada's Nations League swing against Cuba, MLS' one-sided "debate" and who we'd be excited to see in the MLS playoffs.

It wouldn't be MLS without some unlikely heroes and this week it's none other than: Colorado and Minnesota?! We also dissect the ongoing saga that is MLS fighting supporters on what exactly a fascist is. After we recorded, the Whitecaps responded that they didn't "mean" to ban a supporter, simply to warn them. We're not buying it.

Nick and Bates talk away trips to Montreal, the Whitecaps' record-setting performance in a loss to San Jose, a blowaway El Trafico and not fighting your own fans, as well as a starmaking display in Kansas City.

What would the tail end of the MLS season be without the announcement of another club?! We talk about the news from St. Louis, some reorganization at the Whitecaps, and of course all the games and news from the game week.

There was some great footy this week but unfortunately supporters had to reckon with getting tossed out of stadiums, receiving bans, and having their belongings confiscated, all because the league can't decide how it feels about supporting fascists, Nazis, and violent thugs. We do talk about the golazos, the continued dominance of some familiar faces, and the firing of two MLS coaches, one who cou...

Andrew and Nick talk Alejandro Bedoya's call to end gun violence, DC's busy transfer day and a goal-filled *checks notes* Colorado Rapids game?