Yeah, we know… it’s been a long time. So to make it up to you we have some very special guests on this show. Steve and Tim are joined in the Sparkle Donkey Tequila Lab in SODO by our host, Stefan Schachtell, and the singular talents of Niko Moreno of Sounder at Heart and Matt Pentz of The Athletic.

We talk about the state of the team leading into the Portland match, including recent form, implications for a quiet transfer window, the new ownership group, and more. We then look to the South and make some predictions for the match. We discuss the nascent Schmetzer Out phenomenon, and give our impressions of the overall business, team management, and development strategies of the Front Office.

We also drink a very reasonable and safe amount of tequila. (drink responsibly, always have a designated driver, for real).

Finally, your listener questions round us out.

Welp, that happened. But all is not lost — we still have a shot at clinching silverware that matters — the Cascadia Cup — when we head to ‘Scum in August. Meanwhile, we have a lot to talk about — Steve, Tim, and Andrew cut it up and leave (almost) nothing on the cutting room floor in our first formal multi-channel live stream.

What were the factors that impacted our performance? Offensive Depth? New Turf? Depth? Portland’s mad counter? Depth? Confusion and inaccuracy in the midfield? International break? Fragile player health? Depth?

It isn’t the Yanks Abroad show yet — we talk a little bit about WWC and the experience, then dig right into all the action we missed while we were getting all the sun, all the baguettes, and all the wine. Vancouver, NYCFC, Columbus, and Atlanta brought us to second place, and extend our at-home unbeaten streak to 10. We cover all the bad fouls, bad refs, young kids, amazing goals, general MLS discussion, NWSL TV deal, and more in today’s show with Steve, Tim, and Andrew.

So here is what I should have said when Nate asked me what I would do if I was to become the soccer czar of the USA…