Off the Woodwork

Jon Nelson brings you the best of SDH AM as Major League Soccer prepares for a dramatic final day of the 2026 regular season. Apple TV's MLS broadcast teams join the show to break down the biggest Decision Day storylines. Tony Husband and Ross Smith discuss Nashville SC's historic season, B.J. Callaghan's Coach of the Year credentials, and FC Cincinnati's struggles ahead of their showdown. Tony Cherchi and Alejandro Figueredo examine Seattle's fight to reach the playoffs against an LAFC side looking to find its best form. Plus, Kevin Egan and Andrew Wiebe take us behind the scenes of MLS Countdown and MLS 360, explaining how they prepare to cover a chaotic day of simultaneous matches, shifting playoff scenarios, and potential last-minute drama. The playoff picture, the players who could make the difference, and the stories that will define Decision Day, all on this week's SDH Week in Review.

Jason Longshore examines what Atlanta United can carry from its win over Toronto into Saturday’s season finale and the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, including roster continuity, Cooper Sanchez’s development, and the need for speed on the wing. Then, Richard Gunney’s introductory press conference offers a clearer picture of Atlanta City FC’s build toward its 2028 NWSL debut—from the coaching search to college recruitment and attracting top players. The 3-4-3 closes the show with Georgia college soccer, PSG’s dominant Champions League performance, Manchester United’s comeback, the NWSL playoffs, Boca’s win over River, and three things making Jason smile about the game.

Abe Gordon and Jon Nelson recap Atlanta United's 3-1 victory over Toronto FC.

Jon Nelson brings you the best of SDH AM from the week of October 30, 2026. Three conversations worth your time heading into the weekend. First, Apple TV’s Carlos Mauricio Ramírez joins ahead of his call of Atlanta United’s home finale against Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With Atlanta missing the playoffs for a second straight year despite Almirón, Embolo, Alonso, and Tata Martino in the building, Ramírez asks what’s really missing, compares Atlanta’s situation to turnarounds in Philadelphia and St. Louis, and explains why the upcoming sprint season could hand teams playing under a roof a massive early-season edge. Then, former Atlanta United captain Michael Parkhurst of Beyond Goals Mentoring checks in. He weighs in on the sprint season, why no late-season match is meaningless for players fighting for their futures, how leadership looks different in a pro locker room than with youth mentees, and the message he’d deliver to Atlanta United before Sunday: go out and put on a show for the fans who show up. To close, IFCPF CEO Ash Hammond wraps up the CP Football World Cups held at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. Hammond reflects on the athletes, the Georgia volunteers, the USA women’s comeback from two goals down to beat Australia 3-2 for their second title, and England’s extra-time win over the USA in the men’s final. He also previews a 2027 calendar of regional championships and the debut of an AI-assisted digital classification system he believes will make the sport more accessible worldwide. Soccer Down Here covers the beautiful game from a Southern perspective. Find the Morning Espresso newsletter at soccerdownhere.net.

Abe Gordon and Madison Crews recap Atlanta United's 2-1 loss to New York City FC and discuss the season and team as a whole now that the club is officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 2026 season.

What does Atlanta United need to show in its final three matches of 2026, and what needs to change before 2027? Jason Longshore broadcasts from New York City ahead of Atlanta United’s match against NYCFC, breaking down comments from Tata Martino and Junior Alonso following Tuesday’s media availabilities. Both accepted responsibility for a disappointing season, while Martino identified a lack of conviction and mental strength as major obstacles. Jason examines the difference between confidence and chemistry, why Atlanta struggles to sustain strong performances, and how the shortened 2027 MLS season will test Martino’s belief in the current roster. Plus, the latest MLS playoff races, a dramatic NWSL Decision Day with the Shield and final postseason berth on the line, and the 3-4-3 featuring Georgia college soccer, the Ballon d’Or winners, and Fleetwood Town’s stunning Carabao Cup upset of Arsenal. Atlanta Soccer Tonight airs Tuesday nights on 92.9 The Game and the Audacy app.

Abe Gordon and Jon Nelson recap Atlanta United's 3-2 loss to the Chicago Fire, and how the season focus shifts from a playoff push to analyzing the roster for next season!

Jon Nelson takes you through some of the best interviews of this week on SDH AM. Check the show out Monday-Friday on the Soccer Down Here YouTube and Twitch channels or as its own podcast at soccerdownhere.net. This week, he spoke with Chicago Fire radio commentator Max Anderson, Atlanta United Special Olympics Unified Team head coach Marty Jelleme, and Humans United FC host and author Joe Shaw. Max breaks down a Fire side chasing a home playoff spot ahead of its trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Marty previews Unified’s regular season finale and a four-year unbeaten run, and Joe tells the story behind his new book, Miami Before Messi, on the Miami Fusion’s four seasons in MLS and why the club folded.

Jason Longshore and Madison Crews break down Atlanta United’s 3-1 loss to Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi scored twice in four minutes to undo one of Atlanta’s better halves, and what’s left with four matches to play and Chicago up next Saturday night at the Benz. They also look back on Atlanta United 2’s record season, which ended in a 1-0 playoff loss to CT United. Then it’s Atlanta City FC: new Chief Soccer Officer Richard Gunney and his path from Portland, San Diego and Gotham, plus exclusive clips from SDH’s sit down with Chief Business Officer Deandra Duggans on building the brand, Atlanta’s group project, and making the game more accessible for girls. The 3-4-3, brought to you by Ford, covers Georgia, Georgia State and Mercer, Champions League Matchday 3, the regulator and Manchester City, FIFA’s bans for Egypt, and Cooper Sanchez making MLS’s 22 Under 22.

Abe Gordon and Jon Nelson recap Atlanta United's 3-1 loss to Inter Miami CF as Lionel Messi scores two goals in the second half!