Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

The Relegation Battle is [fire emoji] in the English Premier League

That final Salah Liverpool goal against Manchester United was just a gross display of dominance and celebration at Anfield. I hope that Liverpool fans are actually starting to get sad because it's NEVER going to be better than that moment. You'll lift the trophy but you'll regret not enjoying it more. I hope it feels like the last day of vacation for the rest of the year.

Yes, I'm bitter. 

But I shouldn't be because the relegation battle is going to be so much fun to watch this year. Only 8 points separate #8 (Tottenham) from #18 (Bournemouth). Although that stat is a little off because I'm writing this on Wednesday morning and there's a bunch of game-in-hand scenarios going on. But, I'd argue that anyone from Burnley (#14 on 27 points) to Norwich (#20 on 17 points) has a chance at going down. The bottom of the league is competitive this year. Did you see that insane Villa goal in the 94' minute against Watford? That shit was fire.

Fun. Fun. Fun.

An Auditory Journey from Old White Hart Lane to Carrow Road - English Premier League

The first ever couples interview here on Rooster and the Devil. And for good reason. 

We spoke with Paul and his wife, Emily, because they have been on a couple of awesome England trips where they make a point to check out new stadiums. On their honeymoon, they've visited Old White Hart lane where they saw Fulham play Tottenham. Then they ventured out to the East coast to catch a game at Carrow Road. Emily fell in love with the town of Norwich and probably gives me enough firepower to convince my own wife that a trip there some day would be worth it.

More recently, they went to see a Queens Park Rangers game. They described the ground (Loftus Road) as a rough, old school stadium. Then they ventured off to see Fulham at Craven Cottage. 

All in all. Fantastic trips with some fun stories. It's also nice to hear the female perspective here.

P.S. Shoutout to their home supporters bar in Minneapolis, Part Wolf. 

NBA-EPL Crossover and EPL Sorting Hat

Happy Friday! Got a bonus episode for yo' ass. We take you on a journey from NBA to the EPL and discuss where the NBA fits into the English game. Shoutout to all the basketball dudes that love Premier League

My fellow NBA writer friend reports back to duty on Rooster and the Devil for the second NBA-EPL crossover episode. My guy Noah Perkins comes on the podcast to reflect upon the similarities between the beautiful game and basketball. He goes on an epic James Dolan rant that brings a tear to my eye. He waxes poetic about Chet Hanks' speaking patois. Then Donald Sterling. David Stern. And how amazing LeBron has been for the NBA.

Then we throw on the old Premier League sorting hat and sort this man into house Newcastle. Where he will be force fed information by me. Go magpies!

 

The Joy of the FA Cup and Pain of Hamstring Injuries

The mood around Rooster and the Devil has turned a little gloomy with both the Roosters and Devils turning in a poor run of form. Plus, Harry Kane is out for the foreseeable future. As is Moussa Sissoko. Sadness abounds.

But we turn those frowns upside down with some talk about the FA Cup. We also predict the future of relegation and give you our picks for the teams going down. Then, Jimmy compares Gyasi Zardes to genital herpes. It's a good one.

Thanks for tuning in, folks.

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.