Champions League Recap

Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola kick things off with a look at the USMNT crew in Champions League action this week (05:16). It was a mixed night for PSV’s American duo: Sergiño Dest showed up late, while Ricardo Pepi came off the bench to score and assist. No goals for Folarin Balogun against Spurs, but the Monaco No. 9's performance impressed the guys (12:58). And over in the Championship, Patrick Agyemang and Daryl Dike gave U.S. fans reason to celebrate (19:06). Charlie looks back on his past diving transgressions (23:41). Then the crew dives into U.S. Soccer’s bold proposals to overhaul men’s college soccer, and share a few college memories of their own (26:27). And the crew wraps with a full MLS playoff breakdown and reveal their updated Playoff Power Rankings (48:09). Call It What You Want is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow the Call It What You Want team on X:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JimmyConrad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @CharlieDavies9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TMeola1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on soccer⁠ For more soccer coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/⁠ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/⁠ Watch UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, EFL Championship, EFL League Cup, Carabao Cup, Serie A, Coppa Italia, CONCACAF Nations League, CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, NWSL, Scottish Premiership, AFC Champion League by subscribing to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paramount+⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the betting arena on CBS Sports.com: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/⁠ For all the latest in sportsbook reviews: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos/⁠ And sportsbook promos: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got a packed episode today, with a full Champions League quarter-finals recap followed by an insightful interview with Senior VP of MLS NEXT Pro, Ali Curtis, talking about new rules coming to MLS and potentially the 2026 World Cup! This Champions League quarter-finals was probably the most exciting knockout round in the past few years, so Christian and Alexis are hyped to break down all the action. The guys analyze how Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Borussia Dortmund were able to advance to the UCL semis and predict who will meet in the final at Wembley. Then, Ali Curtis returns to The Cooligans to discuss the new rules that will be implemented in MLS starting this weekend, which could also be used at the 2026 World Cup. He explains how all the new tweaks could affect the matches and gives insight into what new rules could be coming in the future. Exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/SoccerCooligans This is where we put everything we shouldn't say 😉 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s show, Alexi Lalas and David Mosse recap Champions League action: Mbappe, Vini, Haaland, and Kane advance to the Quarterfinals. Taking age out of the question, which player would you build your dream team around? Also in Europe, Weston McKennie is looking to make his speedy return against Atalanta. (5:37) Back state side, we have a loaded week of MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup ahead. Club America takes on rivals Chivas while Brandon Vazquez and Monterrey take on his old club, Cincinnati. (24:21) In #AskAlexi the guys answer questions on ranking the USMNT #9 position, USL league competing with MLS, and the “dark arts” of defending. (33:34) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Musa and Ryan recap Tuesday’s Champions League second legs, which saw Bayern and PSG progress to the quarterfinals. In the end, it was relatively stress-free for both, as Bayern put three past Lazio (2:23), thanks to two goals from Harry Kane and a sneaky header from Thomas Müller. For PSG, Kylian Mbappé took charge, and his brace was enough to end Real Sociedad’s brilliant debut campaign (15:46). They also discuss Mbappé further, following analysis by Thierry Henry, and look at the comparisons to the greats and the player he can become. Hosts: Ryan Hunn and Musa Okwonga Producer: Ryan Hunn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices For more podcasts, ad-free and in full, plus access to the Stadio Social Club and much more, you can become a Stadio member by signing up at patreon.com/stadio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OH MY GOD, DARLINGTON NAGBE AND AIDAN MORRIS ARE IN THE COOLIGANS STUDIO! The Columbus Crew made a terrible mistake by allowing two of their star players, Darlington Nagbe and Aidan Morris, to join the show in-studio for a hilarious interview about their victory in MLS Cup Final! We get the players' perspectives about what it was like to play in the final, congratulate Darlington on his fourth MLS Cup and overall legendary career, and ask the guys about playing under Wilfried Nancy. You won't want to miss their reactions to Christian's trap remix of his postgame press conference! Plus, Christian and Alexis recap the final Champions League group stage matches and remember their friend, Kenny DeForest. Please honor Kenny DeForest's legacy by checking out his latest stand-up special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbORmRRvtJ8 Exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/SoccerCooligans This is where we put everything we shouldn't say 😉 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas is joined by a traveling David Mosse to recap Champions League action and preview the Americans Abroad this weekend. Up first, the MLS Wild Card round has come and gone and the best-of-three matchups are set. The guys preview the matchups and break down the pros and cons of the new playoff format. (7:26) Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Cameron Carter-Vickers and others took the field in midweek Champions League action. Who stood out and who needs to step up? Alexi and Mosse then look ahead to a massive weekend slate including AC Milan vs Napoli and Barcelona vs Real Madrid. (25:38) In #AskAlexi, we settle the raging debate on social media about whether the 2014 USMNT squad could beat the current team. Make sure to tune in twice a week, every week, to State of the Union for all of your red, white, and blue coverage you crave and need. (60:07) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi and Mosse open the show with the top MLS headlines that include the El Trafico recap (6:52), who wears the LA crown, LAFC, or Galaxy? Minnesota Loons’ struggles, Columbus rebrand. The guys then recap CONCACAF Champions League and predict the semifinals (38:45). They also react to UEFA Champions League semifinal results, Christian Pulisic’s impact, Zach Steffen, Manchester City’s dominance, PSG falling apart, and the final predictions (47:05). The guys then look at Neymar’s extension with PSG, the “Bayernliga,” League 1, and La Liga title race, Zidane’s upset with VAR, Jose Mourinho to Roma. They Looked at #AskAlexi, where fans ask about the prevalence of English coaches at the US youth level, if Premier League is the best in the world, and if Alexi ever gets tired of people being jerks to him on social media (1:22:50). Finally, Alexi caps the show with his “One for the Road,” shouts Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin (1:37:19). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices