World Cup News

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we're talking about the hottest topics in MLS in recent news with more big names making moves in and out of the league, as well as some coaches out after slow starts to the season. We start things off though recapping the CONCACAF Champions League final where Columbus lost to Pachuca. Is MLS still behind Liga MX or was there another reason for the loss? Next we stay in Columbus and talk Aidan Morris's rumored move to Middlesbrough. Lastly, we...

Gonzalo Pineda sacked after 1 win in the last 11 games. Rob Valentino will step up as the interim coach (again). What do we want from a future coach?

A good second half in the US Open cup results in a win. Yet, Atlanta United FC - Another Home Loss (3-2) vs DC United. Benteke scores a hat trick on Atlanta's own turf. Three straight "L's" at home, while the Head Coach Gonzalo Pineda asks for our patience. This season is about to slip into the history books. The time to move on is now and find a coach that can get us to MLS Cup with all this talent.

It was sadley very predictable. We went into game three on the road vs Columbus and dropped 3 goals before we knew what hit us. Gonzalo Pineda did not make the right adjustments to prevent goals, nor has he all season. Our excitment about a 4-2 win at home was short lived. 2024 will surley see wide sweeping roster exits which makes stability difficult. You want to be optimistic, but it's not adding between bad coaching and new players TBD.

Atlanta United FC finished the regular season 6th in the Eastern Conference, hanging onto a draw (2-2) vs FC Cincinnati. Was going for a win worth the risk? Thiago Almada will miss the first game vs Columbus Crew in the three game playoff system. What is next for Atlanta United FC if we don't progress in the first round? Why should Gonzalo Pineda keep his position limping into the playoffs with one of the league's best and highest paid rosters? We talk about it all.

Atlanta United lost another opportunity to pick up a full three points. Having played nearly half the game with a man advantage, Gonzalo Pineda was unable to produce a critical road win that was on a plate for the taking. Dave seems to have a moment of clarity, looking back at his notes this season. Mike is still in shock Miguel Berry got the start. MLS refs need to get a grip. Giving out Red Cards needs some common sense, and it was disappointing to see these teams playing a man down for no considerable reason.

Thiago Almada puts in 2 bangers in extra time to save Atlanta United in their lackluster season opener against San Jose. While we have optimism for Thiago Almada, we don’t see any changes from Gonzalo Pineda that make our future bright.

We talk about the season ending Press Conference with Gonzalo Pineda and Carlos Bocanegra. We review the starting lineups and formations through the 2022 season and why Pineda clearly picked favorites over "talent" and basic coaching logic. We had diversity and injuries, but it was not an excuse for the team finishing at the bottom of the eastern conference table. World Cup starts in less than 30 days and we are ready for the France to lose in the first stage of knock out rounds.

We talk a lot about Atlanta United's win over Toronto FC's 4-2. It was great evening at the benz, but scary for a soccer brainiac, if you are Dave. Why play 1 man back when we are up 3-2 in the 80th min, only if you are crazy Pineda! Park the bus. No thanks he says, let's gamble the season. Purata's hattrick was worth it I guess.... Shambolic. We talk about it all.

Atlanta United 4-1 Loss to Philadelphia Union Ends Hope Even with a Win at home over DC United - Pineda must go in our opnion and he's made his bed with continual bad decisions and continual starts fo RRN. Who is driving the bus, Boca Boca? Who could even sack Gonzalo Pineda with any authority? We don't know. But we need a replacement ASAP.

Dave and Mike discuss the big problems of Atlanta United and Gonzalo Pineda. The draw against Columbus puts the playoff hopes on final life support. How do we go into 2023? The future is very foggy for Atlanta United fans.

Atlanta United lose 4-0 vs Austin FC in the worst home game ever. A little hope during Real Salt Lake, but the run up to Seattle makes fans want to puke. Gonzalo Pineda keeps shifting and can't get it right.. The last 5 games produced 1 win and only 2 goals with some of the best attacking players in the MLS. We talk about it all and talk Women's Euro's, Apple TV and red wine.

Atlanta United - Mid-Season Reality Check -ATLONFIRE Has The Solution. Gonzalo Pineda needs to play to our roster's strength and that means a ldefensive posture that wins the ball at midfield and gets it up quickly to the MAMA talent who is designed to score. Fullbacks need to be FULL BACKS, stay home. The new MX goalkeeper and centerback will be key to the future as well, and we need Sosa to make a return. We talk about it all.

Atlanta United sees Almada, Moreno and Araujo clicking little by little. But, the big mistakes are still hurting us and Gonzalo Pineda needs to start enforcing some changes. We started to see Araujo out on his natural left side which is great, but need to shift away from Zone D. Dave brings some stats as we hit 1/3 into the season. What's working and what's not by the numbers. And Mike bring ATLONFIRE Trivia to bore us with Offside rules and applogies to the internet.

Dave brings his own wine to celebrate the playoffs for Atlanta United. Mike admits, the wine is not only drinkable, it's good! Shocked about a year 1 wine, we go into the formation change from Gonzalo Pineda and why we should be playing 4-3-3 headed into the NYFC playoff game. But, we don't think the coach will go that direction. Mike thinks we'll win regardless and advance in the playoffs, Dave thinks it's our final stop. We talk about it all, including the new wonderboy Thiago Almada who will join the team in 2022.

Atlanta United essentially locked a playoff spot with tonight's 0-0 draw against New York Red Bulls. This looked to be coach Pineda's plan. Mike and Dave are worried about Pineda putting a stamp on the team, finding our identity and ensuring our players are put in the best position to win heading into the playoffs. Pineda's substitutions seem very wild, and we just don't feel like the team is clicking to enter the MLS cup hot.

This episode we compare the tactics of Rob Valentino vs Gonzalo Pineda. We argue about the EPL top 4. Will Dave or Mike win the bet on a bottle of wine? We talk about it all!

Atlanta United are on a win streak! But, still no Pineda on the sideline as we face DC United tonight at 8PM. We talk about Luiz Araujo, how to say his name, and how he performed on his debut at Mercedez Benz on Wednsdsay night. Dave get's into the tactics of how to incorporate Luiz Araujo in the side. We have some concerns about our depth in the middle and defensive side of the ball. Our second live broadcast was not a flop, so listen and subscribe.

Alexi and Mosse open the show with the latest MLS news which includes, a recap of Sunday’s Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders rivalry game, an explanation of where NYCFC ranks in Alexi’s Top 5 MLS teams, Atlanta United’s new coaching hire Gonzalo Pineda, and NYRB’s struggle for relevancy (08:40). They then look at the Leagues Cup competition and question the lineup choices SKC head coach Peter Vermes made in his 6-1 defeat vs. Leon at the Leagues Cup. Then the guys move to Concacaf Champions League to breakdown Philadelphia Union’s loss to America and answer the age old question, will we ever see an MLS team win the competition (33:03). We then run through all of the European soccer news, Pulisic’s goal at Chelsea, Joe Scally’s Bundesliga debut, Messi’s PSG saga, and so much more in the European Roundup (44:12). Questions about how the USMNT’s style of play in the Gold Cup and Nation’s League left fans concerned about the future of the team, David Ochoa’s decision to commit to Mexico, and what the soccer equivalent of the Field of Dreams baseball game would be are all answered in #AskAlexi (1:00:53). Finally, Alexi ends the show with a celebration of Carli Lloyd’s decorated career as she announces her retirement from soccer in another remote edition of the State of the Union Podcast (1:18:52). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Atlanta United hires a New Coach Gonzalo Pineda from the Seattle Sounders. Fans get excited about our new Lille signing Luiz Araujo. Are we going to turn the corner and make a run for the playoffs? We talk about it all, including Messi going to PSG's farmer's league. Mike and Dave debate the Alan Franco's bulldozer play that offered Columbus Crew a lifeline.

Today we are joined by Chicago Fire Homegrown Player Mauricio Pineda! Mauricio talked to us about scoring his first MLS goal, meeting Bastian Schweinsteiger for the first time, and what's his favorite pizza in Chicago! Sponsors: On The Volley Apparel: Get all your Cooligans merch at onthevolleyapparel.com/cooligans Gully Squad: If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do that by joining Gully Squad at soccercooligans.com and click on the menu to join. Get access to the Gully Squad slack channel + exclusive content + the official Cooligans pin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your hosts Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani are back just in time as MLS returns to live matches on July 8. Sounders FC assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda joins the pod from Orlando to give an update on the team's fitness before the Sounders kick off against San Jose Earthquakes on July 10. Speaking of San Jose - Brad and Steve speak with forward and SJ veteran Chris Wondolowski ahead of Friday's match. Our hosts close the episode with a quick preview and some predictions for the Sounders' opening ma...

In the fourth episode of the Seattle Sounders’ new podcast, “Winging it with Zakuani”, Sounders FC host Steve Zakuani recaps the club’s 1-0 win over Chivas de Guadalajara and Sounders FC assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda stops by to preview Leg 2 of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals in Guadalajara. Look out for new episodes of "Winging it with Zakuani" every Tuesday afternoon on SoundersFC.com, iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and other platforms.