The Cooligans

Today on the show we are talking to Steve Bernasconi of The Soccer Tour. Steve is currently on a road trip across North America taking in footy matches. It's the road trip every soccer fan has dreamed of and we get into what this experience is like for him. Segment 1: Connecticut. Really? NYCFC has to play a home game in Connecticut and people are upset. Segment 2: Interview with Steve Bernasconi...

Today we are joined by Ben Sweat of NYCFC! Ben Sweat is the pride of Clearwater, FL and he is now bringing some joy to New Yorkers' hearts by playing some strong defense and even scoring some goals for NYCFC. Segment 1: VAR, huh, what is it good for? Segment 2: Interview with Ben Sweat of NYCFC (IG @BenSweat22, Twitter @22BenSweat) Segment 3: Is Rafa Marquez the plug? + FC Dallas making jokes with...

We are back from Chicago and we finally get to tell you about our experience covering the MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Real Madrid. We recorded our last podcast the night before the All-Star game and after just one more day in Chicago we managed to get into more trouble. More fun stories at the All-Star game, and we also discuss the hot weekend in MLS that introduced VAR! Segmen...

We are here in Chicago for the MLS All-Star Game and it's been an insane few days. We've done so much during our time here and this episode recorded inside our tiny hotel/hostel room does not do justice to how much fun we are having. Make no mistake. We are here looking for Dax McCarty so we can finally get some closure on #DaxFruitBowl! And on top of that, we've already made a joke that's gone vi...

Today we are joined by Atlanta United rookie Julian Gressel! Atlanta United have been an incredibly exciting expansion team in MLS and Julian has had a major role in that. He was drafted 8th in MLS Superdraft and has quickly risen atop many of the MLS rookies. He has also earned the trust of one of the most storied and experienced managers in the world, Tata Martino. When you can earn the trust of...

Today we are joined by Tommy Smyth who is currently a commentator for the Philadelphia Union, but he will forever be a legend in American Soccer. This Irishman has been the voice of soccer on ESPN for many years. From World Cup to UEFA Champions League matches, you've definitely heard Tommy Smyth with a Y's voice. We talk about the state of the Union, plus we get Tommy's take on what American socc...

This week we are joined by Mark Fishkin of Seeing Red NY. Mark is an MLS OG. He's been covering the Metrostars/Red Bulls since their inception. NY has a new team in MLS and the fans of both teams have had their issues with each other, but we are here to help start the healing process. Segment 1: The Stormzy/Lukaku mishap + #Dom4Russia Segment 2: Interview with Mark Fishkin (@markfishkin) of Seeing...

We're officially in the triple digits of podcast episodes and we get the next 100 episodes started with even more stupidity. We talk about Germany winning the Confederations Cup and we try to figure out if VAR is useless. We also get into the USMNT friendly against Ghana by mostly praising Dom Dwyer. Plus we try to figure out the the Twitter beef the New England Revolution have started with the ML...

One hundred episodes of The Cooligans! Can you believe it? This is a fun episode filled with a lot of reminiscing and a few messages from some of our favorite fans. Don't worry though, we still talk soccer with Robert Jonas who is a beat writer for the San Jose Earthquakes. The Quakes just fired their coach midseason and lots of people are puzzled at the decision. Segment 1: Cooligans In Blazers S...

Today we are joined by Aurelien Collin of the New York Red Bulls! Aurelien is an championship caliber center-back who is known for his strong defense and his great off-the-field personality. Aurelien is also a fashion designer and we get his opinion on who are the best dressed coaches in MLS. We also try to get Aurelien to dress us as well! Segment 1: Michael Bradley is now the King of Mexico. Seg...

Today we talk to Mikey Lopez of NYCFC. Mikey is a Texas native and defensive midfielder for the Celestes. We talk to Mikey about being a passionate footballer, growing up in Texas, and we have an intense debate about corn tortillas vs flour tortillas. Mikey also made some news after having to deal with some gay slurs after a match recently against Atlanta United. He publicized what happened and th...

Soccer fans the comedy world are pretty rare, so when we get a chance to talk to comedians who love soccer as much as we do, we jump on the opportunity. Today we talk with hilarious comedian, Ian Edwards! Ian is a great comedian who tours with Daniel Tosh and is currently writing on HBO's Crashing. Ian currently hosts the Soccer Comic Rant, loves Manchester United, and the Premier League. We get i...

We are going down the line of the Lalas family to make sure we get every Lalas hot take! Greg Lalas of Major League Soccer joins us today to talk about the content efforts of MLS to grow the league. Greg is the head of digital content at MLS who has not only played in the league, but has been a huge part of everything you see on mlssoccer.com and social media. We also discuss the hot weekend in ML...

Steve Zakuani is a former MLS player who played for the Seattle Sounders. He tragically suffered a terrible leg injury after getting tackled in a match against the Colorado Rapids. Steve's story is incredible because he made a comeback 2 years later and played against the team and player who injured him. Everyone was expecting him to get revenge, but what happened after the game left people inspir...

Atlanta United are the new hot team in MLS so we invited one of the voices of Atlanta United on the podcast this week. We speak with Jason Longshore who you've heard on Atlanta United radio broadcasts on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta and on the daily Soccer Down Here Podcast. We try to understand how this Atlanta soccer scene, which seemingly came out of nowhere, has become one of the most exciting soc...

Not much needs to be said about this one. If you've ever wondered what it would be like for Alexis Lalas to have a conversation with two stand-up comedians, then wonder no more. We have a fun chat. Lots of jokes in here. You may not learn anything, but you will laugh a bunch. TODAY'S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY HOWLER MAGAZINE Subscribe at shop.howlermagazine.com and use promo code "COOLIGANS&quo...

On today's podcast we talk to Matthew Doyle of mlssoccer.com. You've definitely seen Matthew as MLS Analyst in the Analyst's Den. Matthew knows everything about MLS, so we obviously spend a lot of time talking to him about food. Segment 1: Soccer Birthday Boys MLS Breakdown: SEA v NE RBNY v CHI ATL v DC CLB v NYC TODAY'S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY HOWLER MAGAZINE subscribe at shop.howlermagazine.com...

If you don't know what the hell is going on with Promotion & Relegation in US Soccer, this is the episode for you. We talk to journalist Nipun Chopra of Soctakes.com and Fourfourtwo.com. Nipun covers the lower leagues of American soccer. Homey knows his stuff. Laugh and learn as two comedians talk about some real ish of the state of American footy. Segment 1: NY Fest Stories! Trevor Noah! Mich...

The MLS has announced the opponent for the MLS All-Star game! It's the unknown mid-table club from La Liga, Real Madrid. Yes, we know it's quite an obscure choice, but we are still pretty excited. We will try our best to get the All-Star game this year and we hope we get to meet the Ronaldo bust! Segment 1: MLS All-Star game + Timmy Howard gets detention MLS Breakdown: PHI v NYC, MTL v ATL, ORL v...

We just learned that Borussia Dortmund's team bus suffered an attack by explosive and after we learned that no life was lost and there were no serious injuries, our obvious question was, "Is Pulisic okay?" Lil baby Pulisic has to be happy and healthy so he can help America win a World Cup. Segment 1: Jealousy in soccer, Dortmund attack, MLS match breakdown: TOR v ATL 2-2 SKC v COL 3-1 PH...

Is it true? Could it be possible that after one season in the Premier League, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is actually coming to MLS? According to FOX Deportes, this is already a done deal. Everyone is skeptical, but we want to believe this is happening. Zlatan will be in MLS this summer, and according to FOX Deportes, he is also bringing Santa and the Easter Bunny with him! Segment 1: Zlatan is coming to A...

The USMNT delivered a clear message to the rest of CONCACAF that Jurgen Klinsmann was not a good step-dad and Bruce Arena is our real dad. USA defeated Honduras 6-0 and now all is well and we no longer have to worry about America making the World Cup, right? Segment 1: USA v HON + MLS will tell you what to do with your international break! Break: Go to onthevolleyapparel.com for great soccer inspi...

Bastian Schweinsteiger is coming to MLS! He will be joining the Chicago Fire and some people are saying this is a bad decision because he's too old and those people are right. Some people are also saying he won't help the team, and they would be wrong. It's going to be great for the Fire and the MLS to have Basti out there. Let's just hope he can keep up with David Accam during training. ATL v CHI...

Journalist Paul Tenorio (Chicago Fire Sideline Reporter, Four Four Two) joins us for today's show to discuss the new Chicago Fire that has been impressive in the beginning of the MLS Season. We also discuss exactly how awful is Minnesota United, because they have allowed 11 goals in 2 matches, so there might be cause for concern. Segment 1: NYCFC Home opener at Yankee Stadium + THE GREATEST MEME E...

The MLS has returned to our lives and we welcome it back with open arms. We discuss all the big matches from the opening weekend. Two new expansion teams have joined the league and we're quickly shown what this league is all about. We get all riled up about the new season, all while trying to not get arrested. Segment 1: MLS is back and there's a lot to be excited about and a few things to be asha...