Grant and Chris went all the way to Portland, Ore., and sat next to each other in the press box for the MLS Cup final, and they break down New York City’s win in penalties over the Portland Timbers. Plus an extravaganza for Liverpool fans eager to consume more about the club’s triumphant 2019-20 season: Grant interviews Michael MacCambridge and Neil Atkinson (23:41) about their book Red Letters: Two Fervent Liverpool FC Supporters Correspond through the Epic Season That Wouldn’t End, and then director James Erskine (50:49) about his film The End of the Storm. <br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Our big MLS Cup final preview includes Grant’s must-listen interviews of MLS commissioner Don Garber, Portland coach Giovanni Savarese (26:02) and New York City captain Sean Johnson (37:52).<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant interviews John Sutcliffe, one of the top reporters in North America (20:29), about what’s going on with the Mexican national team and the growing bonds between Liga MX and MLS. And Grant and Chris break down the weekend, including the MLS playoff semifinals, movement atop the Premier League, Ralf Rangnick’s first Man United game, Jesse Marsch being out at Leipzig and Cincinnati having interest in Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant has a rollicking interview with Pablo Mastroeni, the interim head coach who has taken Real Salt Lake on an incredible journey to the MLS playoffs final four. Mastroeni is remarkably honest about not being ready at first to be a head coach again and telling the story about how he was digging ditches for $18 an hour after coaching the Colorado Rapids until he decided he wanted to be a coach again. Plus Grant and Witty break down the MLS playoffs, New York City’s upset of the New England Revolution, how the playoffs could be restructured, the uproar over the Ballon d’Or and much more.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant interviews Jasmine Baba (18:38), a Germany-based soccer consultant and tactics expert. She shares her thoughts on Ralf Rangnick becoming Manchester United’s interim coach, as well as her story as a woman and POC in the soccer space. In Segment 1, Grant and Witty break look at United’s 1-1 tie with Chelsea and the decision to sit Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as PSG’s own struggles with a front 3 who don’t defend. And in Segment 3, the guys discuss an eventful weekend of MLS playoffs, the young USWNT’s win in Australia and the strategy for MLS owners when it comes to Designated Players.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant interviews John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal on NBC winning the bid for six more years of broadcasting the English Premier League. And Grant and Chris Wittyngham break down a busy weekend, including the NWSL final, the MLS playoffs, Man United firing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the three-horse race atop the Premier League.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Chris Wittyngham interviews Tony Khan, the Co-owner and director of football operations for Fulham.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Landon Donovan joins Grant and Chris to break down the USMNT’s 1-1 tie at Jamaica in World Cup qualifying in Kingston on Tuesday. The result leaves the U.S. (15 points) in second place in the Octagonal after eight games in the 14-game tournament.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Landon Donovan joins Grant, Chris and Mike Ryan to break down the USMNT’s convincing 2-0 win over Mexico in World Cup qualifying in Cincinnati on Friday. The victory vaults the U.S. into first place in the Octagonal halfway through the 14-game tournament.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant is finally back from Eastern Europe, which means we have a full podcast experience for listeners again. Ahead of Friday’s USMNT-Mexico World Cup qualifying showdown, Grant interviews ESPN’s Sebastian Salazar (22:15) about his thoughts on the game from both sides’ perspectives, how ESPN will approach its broadcast from Cincinnati, his ESPN+ show Fútbol Américas, his story in the business and much more. In Segment 1, Grant and Chris Wittyngham break down the USMNT roster and European games, including what’s next for Manchester United after a brutal loss to Man City, West Ham’s statement-making win over Liverpool and whether new manager Xavi can get things right on the field at Barcelona. In Segment 3 (64:17), the boys discuss a wild MLS Decision Day that saw Salt Lake get into the playoffs and the LA Galaxy be eliminated in the final moments, as well as Colorado making a huge jump from third to first in the West. Then they finish with talk on the two NWSL playoff quarterfinals, won by Chicago (1-0 over Gotham) and Washington (1-0 over North Carolina).<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant speaks to author Andrew Downie about his new oral history book The Greatest Show on Earth: The Inside Story of the Legendary 1970 World Cup. Downie explains why the 1970 tournament in Mexico was so special, provides insight into Pelé’s Brazilian champions (thought by many to be the greatest team of all time) and details how he put together the book’s interviews with players from participant nations, many of whom are now in their 70s and 80s.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant interviews rising star Jenny Chiu of CBS Sports about a bunch of topics, including how she approaches sideline reporting in hostile environments at USMNT away World Cup qualifiers; her story with soccer growing up in El Paso, Texas; playing for Mexican youth national teams; how she got into the TV business; how she met Grant at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; her advice for young people who want to go into TV; and much, much more.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant gets up to speed on Spain with an enlightening conversation with Sid Lowe, who does terrific work for ESPN, The Guardian and the Spanish Football Podcast. Lowe gives his big-picture views on the situation at Barcelona (the podcast was recorded a few hours before manager Ronald Koeman was fired), the status of La Liga after the departures of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the success of Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad, why the Super League was a more popular idea in Spain than elsewhere, his own story of coming to live and work in Spain in 2001 and much more.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant has a must-listen interview with Walker Zimmerman (20:54), the reigning MLS Defender of the Year with Nashville who recently captained the USMNT in World Cup qualifying. Zimmerman goes in depth on why Nashville has been so successful in its first two years. He also details his experience with the USMNT, what it was like to go from not making the recent initial roster to being the captain in Panama, and what he needs to do to be on the plane to Qatar next year. In Segment 1, Grant and Chris Wittyngham break down the big games in Europe, including Liverpool’s 5-0 beatdown of Man United and Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Barcelona in El Clásico. In Segment 3, they discuss the job Bruce Arena has done to lead New England to the MLS Supporters Shield and discuss the playing career legacy of Carli Lloyd.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant interviews Nick Holliday (18:07), the 15-year-old goalkeeper for North Carolina FC of USL League One, who recently signed his first pro contract. Holliday is from a sports family: His father, Corey, caught two passes in Super Bowl XXX for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his brother, Chris, is a defensive back at the University of North Carolina. Nick explains why he decided to go with soccer instead of football or lacrosse (he liked soccer, and he didn’t want a helmet to mess up his hair) and details what it has been like this season playing with adult men in a professional league. Before that, Grant and Chris dive into the latest FIFA proposal for once-every-two-years World Cups and break down Wednesday’s Champions League games, including Man United’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over Atalanta. In Segment 3, they talk about the headliners of Tuesday’s Champions League games, including Liverpool’s 3-2 win at Atlético Madrid.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>

Grant and Chris interview Nick Mohammed (17:00), who plays Nate Shelley on Ted Lasso. (Spoiler alert: Don’t listen to this until you’ve finished Season 2 of the show.) Mohammed details the challenges of playing Nate in a transformative season for his character, shares how Ted Lasso fans have responded to him recently and explains how he’s able to portray a sports figure even though he doesn’t care much for sports. Grant and Chris also break down the soccer weekend, including Man United’s loss to Leicester, Chelsea’s win at Brentford, Americans Abroad, Steve Baldwin’s plans to sell the Washington Spirit, the Hudson River Derby and much more.<br/><br/>Music: <br/><br/>Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast">grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe</a>