As the USMNT prepare for their quarterfinal matchup against Costa Rica, we discuss the elements of this team that we're most intrigued by. Can Freese really win the #1 job? Can Tim Ream reestablish himself as a starting CB for World Cup '26? Can Johnny Cardoso really play for Atletico Madrid but not the US' B-Team? Plus, we compare the transfer windows thus far for the Premier League's 3 leading title contenders - Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. And finally, we analyze Brazil's standout Club World Cup as well as Argentina's disastrous one. ALSO: Head on over to Caught Offside Plus where we just released a really fun food-centric episode inspired by the hot and wild takes of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah. Just go to https://caughtoffside.supercast.com to sign up! Once you have access to the premium feed, be sure to go back and check out our special "welcome episode" from June 24th, 2024 (we don't think you'll be disappointed)! And for all the latest merch, get over to https://caughtoffsidepod.com/ --- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CaughtOffsidePod/ X: https://twitter.com/COsoccerpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caughtoffsidepod/ Email: [email protected] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@caughtoffsidepod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week, Jonathan and Rob look into the tragic and fascinating latter years of Diego Maradona's professional football career during the 1990s. Jonathan and Rob explore Maradona's struggles with cocaine addiction, legal troubles, and numerous attempts to revive his career amidst a national crisis for Argentina's football team. From his return to his parents' hometown to his controversial time at the 1994 World Cup, follow Maradona's tumultuous journey as he battles to maintain his footballing legacy. Please rate, review, and recommend the podcast. 00:00 Introduction to Argentina's Turbulent Football History 00:33 Diego Maradona's Struggles and Return 01:09 Argentina's National Team Crisis 01:56 Maradona's Controversial Comeback 05:01 Challenges with Argentine Football Culture 10:38 Maradona's Legal and Personal Battles 16:56 Road to the 1994 World Cup 24:41 Maradona's Defense and Consequences 26:16 Public Reaction and Media Coverage 27:30 Argentinian Utopianism and Football 31:12 Maradona's Struggles and Ban 36:38 Attempted Comeback and Managerial Stints 38:16 Final Matches and Retirement 48:22 Legacy and Future Stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why was it so important for Liam Delap to score his first goal for Chelsea at the Club World Cup? Will Bayern Munich be left to rue making a number of changes and missing the chance to top their group, as they fall to defeat against Benfica? Will Lionel Messi have a bit of extra, personal motivation when he comes up against former team PSG in the Round of 16? Gary, Alan, Micah and Alex Aljoe also discuss Atletico Madrid’s failure to get out of their group and what went wrong for the Spanish side. Watch the final episode of Specsavers' Best Worst Team season 3 now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3-nK00-1NU Every single match of the Club World Cup is available to watch live and for free on the DAZN app — no subscription required. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimbo, Duncan Alexander, Charlie Eccleshare and Colin Millar are in the studio with wall-to-wall football to discuss. PSG set up a reunion with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. And Botafogo knock out Atletico Madrid to tee up an all-Brazilian clash with Palmeiras. Jack Lang in LA tells us why Brazilian sides are doing so well at this tournament. Man City face Juventus on Thursday with both sides already through. Are both free-scoring sides back to their best or are they just playing bad teams? And we need to talk about the weather. There are goals galore and family trees rocking in both the Under 19 and Under 21s Euros, where holders England are one game away from the final. Plus why no Lautaro love, CWC sides in the Premier League and the Sampdoria saga. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1a: Botafogo knock out Atleti, Messi v PSG (05.00) • PART 1b: Let’s talk about the weather (07.30) • PART 1c: Jack Lang on Brazilian success (11.30) • PART 2a: Suarez bites Chiellini (21.00) • PART 2b: Man City 6-0 Al Ain (24.00) • PART 2c: Elsewhere in the Club World Cup (30.00) • PART 3a: Drama and goals at the Under 21s and 19s (36.00) • PART 3b: The foreign keeper ban in South Korea (40.00) • PART 3c: The Sampdoria saga (43.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. This week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper bring a two-part special focussing on the decline of one of the greatest footballers ever, Diego Maradona. In part one, our co-hosts talk about Maradona's struggles with drug addiction, failed drug tests, and his eventual 15-month ban from football after a positive cocaine test in 1991. Despite these challenges, Maradona's impact on both the Napoli and Argentina national teams remained significant. Discover the infamous 5-0 defeat of Argentina by Colombia in 1993 and explore why the nation clamoured for Maradona's return to save their 1994 World Cup hopes. The episode provides a comprehensive look at Maradona's turbulent years leading up to his attempts at making a comeback. Join us on Friday for Part Two. 00:00 Introduction and Context 00:30 The Decline of Diego Maradona 02:01 The Infamous Argentina vs. Colombia Match 04:57 The Fallout and National Disgrace 10:48 Maradona's Cultural Significance 16:04 Maradona's Turbulent Life in Naples 23:51 Maradona's Decline and Struggles with Fitness 25:19 Cocaine Scandal and Legal Troubles 26:53 The Fake Penis Incident and Drug Test 30:53 Maradona's Radical Detox and Support System 34:17 Political Context and Maradona's Popularity 39:52 Return to Football and Move to Sevilla 44:04 Struggles in Sevilla and Final Decline 47:52 Personal Breakdown and Return to Roots Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What on earth was Nicolas Jackson thinking with his reckless challenge just minutes after coming on? Why are the South American sides performing so well at this tournament? Can Lionel Messi get Inter Miami out of the group and deep into the knockout round? Gary, Alan and Alex Aljoe also discuss Liverpool’s early transfer activity after Florian Wirtz was announced, and debate whether there’s any chance Alexander Isak could be next. Every single match of the Club World Cup is available to watch live and for free on the DAZN app — no subscription required. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carlos Tevez is a player often overlooked when reminiscing about the greatest South Americans to play in the Premier League. But why? When he was at his peak, he devastated defences with trickery, Argentinian toughness, and goals that won his clubs countless trophies. His ex-teammate Wayne Rooney told us that Tevez “was his favourite strike partner”, while Joe Hart described him as “the catalyst who helped change the mentality of Manchester City”. Maybe Tevez is often forgotten because, along with the riches and skills, Tevez had a list of controversies that followed him around wherever he went. Whether it was his refusal to come off the bench in a key Champions League game, moving between rival clubs, or even the issues around who actually owned him, Carlos Tevez’s seven year stay in the Premier League was a white knuckle, rollercoaster ride. But despite all that - speak to most fans, and they’ll tell you they love him. This episode of Football Daily is hosted by football writer and Copa 90 presenter, Eugene Noble, and seeks to unravel the controversies of Carlos Tevez’s fascinating career, to show just how unique and brilliant a player he was. To understand his rags to riches story, Eugene takes us back to Argentina to see how the man was made. From growing up in a crime filled tower block to being discovered playing on the streets of Buenos Aires, we chart his move from Argentina to London when he stunned everyone to join West Ham. We’ll hear from his ex-teammate Bobby Zamora about culture clashes in the dressing room, and how they formed a partnership which led to the great escape. We’ll then explore his time at both Manchester clubs, delving into all the controversies, the goals and the trophies along the way, with Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, and many others. The Carlos Tevez story is a thrilling one, offering unique insight, stories and first hand accounts on his career. And Tevez has still got it as well - in June 2025 he scored 4 goals in Soccer Aid at age 41. But do his controversies add to his myth? Or could he have achieved even higher heights if he was a bit better behaved? And is Tevez the most archetypal Argentinian player since Diego Maradona?

Chris Richards delivers a statement performance on both ends of the field as the USMNT grinds out a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and special guest Landon Donovan break down Richards' game-winning goal off a set piece and his crucial defensive stops. Is he the leader this backline needs? The guys also discuss Matt Freese’s solid showing in net, and what Pochettino’s consistent XI says about World Cup planning.Then, a look ahead to a critical Group C showdown as Jamaica faces Guadeloupe and Guatemala battles Panama, with knockout stage spots on the line. In Club World Cup action, Lionel Messi makes history again — scoring the match-winner for Inter Miami in their 2-1 victory over Porto, marking the first MLS win over a European club in a competitive match. Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLife Intro (0:00)Trinidad & Tobago and Haiti Draw 1-1 (3:57)USMNT Rolls Out Same Starting XI vs Saudi Arabia (5:55)Chris Richards Saves the Day (15:00)Set Piece Goals (22:44)Pochettino’s Approach Against Haiti (26:03)Group C Preview (32:38)Messi’s Inter Miami Makes History (36:11) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why were there real signs of encouragement from Liam Delap in his debut performance for Chelsea? How has Luis Enrique completely changed the mentality of this PSG team? Was Bayern Munich’s thrashing of Auckland City a good or bad thing for the competition? Gary, Alan and Micah are joined by Alex Aljoe to also discuss the feisty draw between Boca Juniors and Benfica, which saw three red cards in the end, and how Lionel Messi performed on the opening night. Every single match of the Club World Cup is available to watch live and for free on the DAZN app — no subscription required. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Football is often framed in terms of vertical and horizontal play – attacking “directly” upfield versus spreading the pitch wide. Yet between these axes lies an equally crucial but subtler dimension: diagonality. Diagonal passes, runs, and structures connect the vertical with the horizontal, unlocking angles that pure north-south or east-west approaches cannot. In geometric terms, […]