Welcome back to Cat Peterson! We're talking about common soccer stuff today -- how is Arsenal like Seattle? Who and where are we, and what is the real deal?

We have speculation, analysis, and try to filter the FO's decisions through a filter of real evidence.

Covering Arsenal, the first RSL match, the roster, callups, Felix Chenkam, Kim Kee-Hee, Neagle, and combinations featuring Clint Dempsey clogging the midfield and breaking up creative play.

How's the relationship between team leadership and support, and we try really hard to get super negative about the team and it doesn't work out. We love you guys, even if that's a Mariners thing.

We're excited to be here to cover three matches. Even if we don't win them all, or even most of them. Fork it, here we go.

Beat Toronto. T2 survives, and the Tinders get to light the bonfire this time. We talk about all of these games, the novelty of the 5-4-1 and what its use in these two matches really shows us about where the Sounders are on personnel. Spoilers: it's really bad.

Tim & Steve take apart the LAFC match -- lots to be thankful for, but are we the team we want to be? We've got some issues, and as of this recording, not much is indicating any rescues soon. (The day we go to print, however, Garth announces a potential 8-figure deal the Sounders have been working on notionally since February.)

@Nate_Bowling joins us after the first segment to talk about the future, Garth Lagerwey's comments to press, comparing the paper team to the actual team, and how we hold LA fans' feet to the fire on homophobic chants.

Serious, but fun.

GUYS, we finally won a game. And we got a treat in Toronto coming so close, and losing a championship (again) in PKs.

We talk S2 roster, selfless acts from aging heroes, beating Minnesota in glorious fashion, and the future of a number of our players. Christian Roldan, Gustav Svensson, Captain Alonso, the young Alex Roldan & Jordy Delem, along with the whole squad performed very well in the first half, and held their own in the second. Tons of opportunities greet these young players, as there is no significant signing suspected in the foreseeable future -- or at least before the closure of the May 5 transfer window. And, of course, the very next day we rematch LAFC as they open their brand new stadium in the heart of Los Angeles just south of USC. So, you know, hopefully we keep the wheels greased up.

...And you don't throw a fit. This is a relaxed episode where three huge white dudes talk about soccer. Joining us today to talk about S2, Mothership and the joys of away travel, @BigDaveTPIR travels all the way down to our new studio. We cut it up about the boys we love.

Off-weeks are great for catching your breath, catching up with old friends, and making new ones.

In studio, we have Head Coach of the Kitsap Pumas, Liviu Bird, and Assistant Coach (and friend of show) Shannon Matthews! Before coaching, Liviu wrote for Sports Illustrated, The Telegraph, and Sounder at Heart. He's made some splashes, and is relishing his current role as a full time youth & professional coach

The boys from Bremerton are looking to make noise this year!  Liviu & Shannon help break down some recent news, and then we get a deep dive into the mind of an analyst-turned-coach -- what drives some of the dynamics on the field, in the locker room, and the challenges & decisions that land on his very complex role.

A huge welcome back to Kevin, who was able to break free for a night and hang with the B-Team! (We're better with you, buddy!)

We hope you have as much fun as we did!

It's all going to be OK, right? The Sounders untimely exit from the CCL and associated personnel issues give us a great opportunity to talk with Niko Moreno @ELROLONW about the scouting situation, and get his perspective on the bright spots you might have missed in the first few matches of the season. We take apart the Guadalajara match, wallow in our misery with the FC Dallas debacle, and celebrate an outstanding @SoundersFC2 debut. Not much on Swope, given it was basically a trial exhibition... or at least that's what we're telling ourselves.

Tim, Steve, and Nate chat about the week that was. 1-0 is a completely reasonable result at home against Chivas de Guadalajara. We discuss the game, preview the next match in Guadalajara, and accidentally talk about the acceptable loss against LAFC in the home opener. You win some, you lose some, and we are ready for next week!

We also talk with Raney, Kurt & Anthony, friends from Dallas who have perspectives on how FCD is shaping up for the year and try to explain some lousy opening form.

Then we talk about our home watching habits for away matches and go through the new offerings available to see our boys whether we're cord cutters or classic cable box subscribers.

In today's show we cover a lot of ground -- The 4-0 (5-2 Aggregate) Sounders win against Santa Tecla leading to the disappointing but understandable 0-1 opening loss vs. LAFC. We look forward to hosting Chivas de Guadalajara. Casey Catherwood discusses S2 developments & player personalities (also some family safety tips). Dave Montgomery of the Sounders Community Trust breaks down the new "veterans" on the USL side in a deep roster analysis.

We're back on the eve of the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 match against Santa Tecla in the beautiful Emerald City, and the Sounders season opener on Sunday.

We unpack the disappointing 2-1 first-leg result, roster changes and critical hits (JOMO SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!) and preview the LAFC season opener with Jerry from the Heart of LAFC Podcast. We also give away two prizes from our Stefan Frei visit!