Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

Arguing with an Idiot, Danny Ings, and Other Things

I was a lone rooster this evening so I decided to do something different. I went and grabbed sound bites from the coaches and players of some of the tastier matches over the festive period and added some "commentary" after them. I hope you enjoy it.

You'll hear Jose', Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Nigel Pearson, Danny Ings, and more on this episode.

For the USMNT fans out there, it ends with a story about Cameron Carter Vickers and another from Tyler Adams off of the US Soccer YouTube channel.

Not a typical episode. Hope you enjoy eit.

Naughty, Nice, and New Years' Resolutions

The boys sit down for a quickie on Christmas Eve between all of their obligations. 

We ask ourselves a few questions;

• What are we thankful for in 2019?
• What are your resolutions for your team this year?
• Then we have some fun playing Santa and decide who is on our naughty/nice list across the premier league.
• Then, we rant.

Happy Festive Fixtures everyone!

English Premier League: UCL Spot is Wide Open, Folks

Manchester United followed up impressive wins over Tottenham and City with a clunker against Everton. Will Pogba ever play for United again? Has Liverpool already clinched the title? Jose' and his Tottenham boys' rapid rise up the table. Super Jan. Champions League draw. Europa League draw. City still favorites in the Champions League? Mason Greenwood and his natural finishing ability. A touch on Leicester and Chelsea and auditory worshipping of the swole Adama Traore.

All in on Leicester City with the @NewYorkFoxes

We did it! We booked a Leicester City guest. But we never could have guessed at how cool this guest would be. He's been supporting the club since 1998, so he has seen a lot of shit. That's through several relegations, a quick stop in League One, a couple of years duking it out in the Championship, the return to the Prem, the title, Champions League, mainstays, and now the team that is giving Liverpool the most cause to look over their shoulder. 

Jason and his twin brother started New York Foxes, which is a supporters group based at Footfall Factory in New York city. They are responsible for building support for the club in the USA and have become a sounding board for others around the US that are interested in building groups in other cities. 

So much cool Leicester information in this episode. Christian Fuchs shout-outs, Jamie Vardy worship, players that have come and gone, take on the current season, preview of some trips to Leicester, and more. 

Festive Fixture SZN in the English Premier League

It hath arrived. The festive fixture schedule is insane. So many games in so few days. There's a full schedule of games mid-week, followed up by a full schedule of games on the weekend, followed up by some pretty crucial Champions League match-ups next week.

Buckle in, folks. There are so many storylines running through the league right now. Ole's continued poor run of form. Jose' the cockeral. Arsenal being booty. Leicester's amazing season. Sheffield United hanging around the top of the league. Wolves doing well in Europa League and in contention for a spot again next year. Everton sucking. Only 6 points separating #5 from #17. Liverpool's continued dominance. Man City looking vulnerable. Captain American at Chelsea. Oh my. So much juice. Like a vanilla milkshake IPA.

Our New Step Daddy, José Mourinho

The boys grapple with the conflicting emotions that have arisen with the quick sacking of our biological father, Mauricio, and the rapid hiring of our new step daddy, Jose'. Jimmy preaches calm among the Manchester United storm. We talk about the top-4/top-6. Expectations for the rest of the year. Champions League. It was good to be back in the saddle.

Reset Button - Life and Hotspurs

A family emergency took priority over the usual Rooster and the Devil episode but I couldn't leave y'all high and dry. Thanks for listening. We'll be back up and running next week if things go to plan here.

It's Time to Move On from the NFL

Longtime friend and Vicksburg (Michigan) Soccer alum Matt Woodhams joins the poddy this week. The boys attempt to nurture his budding appreciation for soccer as he becomes disenchanted with the NFL.

This is the fun part. We take a test to figure out what team would be the best fit for him in terms of support. Then we take a drive down memory lane with him as he and the Devil reminisce about their long faded soccer careers.

 

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes of the LA Galaxy

Josh Guesman from the Corner of the Galaxy podcast and blog comes into the devil's lair to talk about what it's like covering the LA Galaxy as a reporter. 

He gives us a glimpse into press coverage from MLS, what Zlatan is like as a person, how the MLS has grown since he started covering it in 2009, and where he thinks it's going in the next 10 years. We also ponder about what the LA Galaxy would look like if David Beckham never came. Then hop over to the El Traffico to talk about the new, exciting rivalry in LA. 

I'd also like to say that this man has a silky smooth radio voice and is a delight to listen to. 

Give Me the Pochettino Tramp Stamp Buddy

Moussa Dembele, we love you. I'm sorry that I missed your prime. 

We discuss the current state of Tottenham and Manchester United. Leicester City and how good they look. Pulisic's hat trick and Chelsea. Sergino Dest and why it's exciting that he selected USMNT. We also admit that GGG hasn't yet had the full squad in place because of injuries (Adams and Weah). We ponder about whether being a USMNT fan is honestly worth it. Then other stuff.

I also talk about my overactive bladder...you're welcome.

I implore to listen to my attempt at rapping like Slim Shady at the end of the episode.