MLS Now Podcast

Russell and Beau recap decision day of the 2026 MLS regular seasonTimestamps00:00 MLS season ends, and Nashville sets a record06:00 How impressive is Nashville’s 77-point season?09:02 The co-hosts name their MLS Cup contenders11:53 Dallas’s dependence on Musa versus St. Louis’s depth14:59 St. Louis’s fatigue, LAFC’s slump, and San Diego’s concerns 18:00 Galaxy decisions and whether to rebuild before the sprint season21:04 Why January transfers make a quick rebuild difficult24:54 Build a system now or wait for the summer window?27:01 Cincinnati’s coaching and defensive problems33:00 Biggest disappointments: Chicago, San Diego, and NYCFC38:00 Dallas and New England stand out as season surprises40:01 Playoff matchups: Seattle-RSL intrigue and Cincinnati-Orlando doubts42:45 Evander’s match-winning ceiling vs. Carles Gil’s consistency46:04 The playoff matchups the hosts can’t wait to watch49:13 Coaching departures and a possible Jansen-Kansas City reunion50:16 Why Toronto needs a better-aligned roster and coaching plan53:56 Who else could be on the coaching hot seat?57:13 Philadelphia’s interim coach and the coming episode lineup59:02 How to evaluate 22 Under 22 prospects01:01:45 Listener comments: Decision Day scheduling and CPL records01:06:08 A lighthearted sign-off and the start of playoff coverage

Russell, Gavin, and eventually Beau recap all the learnings from the last two matchdays before decision dayTimestamps00:00 Opening banter and the regular season’s final stretch05:06 The East: familiar playoff teams, unexpected paths08:07 How the Eastern bubble collapsed before Decision Day10:58 Nashville’s home record makes them a feared playoff opponent14:02 The West brings the Decision Day drama the East lacks15:54 Three Western matchups with playoff consequences19:14 Surprises across the West: Dallas, Houston, San Jose, and Seattle28:00 Nashville’s comeback keeps the points-record chase alive36:00 Philadelphia’s disciplined midfield frustrates Cincinnati43:00 St. Louis’ slump: fatigue, mentality, or playoff conservation?50:04 Minnesota’s late surge and its narrow path into the playoffs56:58 Every point matters, plus Messi and Orlando’s striker debate01:03:17 Tergomin’s goal tally and Bo joins the discussion01:06:34 Columbus’ five straight wins and its emerging identity01:07:40 Dallas’ second-place finish: Musa’s impact and a middling West01:11:12 Decision Day previews take a barbecue detour01:16:00 Western Conference stakes: Seattle, LAFC, RSL, and the Galaxy01:20:12 West predictions: who makes it and who gets left out01:24:49 Eastern Conference playoff positioning and Miami’s defensive doubts01:29:12 Can Columbus and Charlotte shake up the East standings?01:34:14 Nashville’s title chances and the Sam Surridge debate01:39:47 Sports betting, hot chocolate, and the episode’s final detours01:46:19 Listener comments, Portland’s late push, and the sign-off

Russell and Gavin recap week 30 of regular season MLS action

David and Gavin recap week 29 of the MLS regular seasonTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Overview of MLS Season05:27 Western Conference Teams Performance11:46 Minnesota's Comeback and St. Louis' Streak17:28 Atlanta United's Struggles and Inter Miami's Rise30:05 DC United's Crucial Matches Ahead31:39 Orlando's Offensive Strength vs Defensive Weakness33:36 New England's Playoff Positioning and Key Players35:36 Columbus Crew's Recent Form and Playoff Aspirations43:37 Philadelphia Union's Impressive Turnaround47:32 Toronto FC's Inconsistent Season and Playoff Chances49:36 New York Red Bulls' Struggles and Playoff Outlook52:20 Playoff Predictions and Team Performances56:28 Nashville's Historic Season and Supporters Shield01:00:27 Western Conference Dynamics and Upcoming Matches

Russell and Gavin recap week 28 of the MLS regular seasonTimestamps00:24 Introduction and Team Dynamics02:21 US Men's National Team Performances10:49 Nashville's Historic Season Pursuit13:50 St. Louis' Unbeaten Streak and Future Prospects26:21 Coach of the Year Contenders31:06 Eastern Conference Playoff Race33:49 Magic Numbers for Playoff Qualification39:10 Red Bulls' Performance and San Diego's Struggles42:18 Cincinnati's Must-Win Match Against Atlanta51:22 Western Conference Wild Card Race59:57 Analyzing RSL's Performance and Future Matches01:02:50 San Jose's Inconsistency and Upcoming Challenges01:04:32 Colorado's Playoff Prospects01:07:38 Seattle's Unexpected Victory01:10:55 Late Goals and Dramatic Comebacks01:15:50 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Matches and Implications

Beau and Gavin recap week 26 of the MLS regular seasonTimestamps00:00 Intro02:29 Impact of International Breaks on MLS05:03 Coaching Changes and Team Performance11:28 Analyzing Recent Matches and Team Strategies15:48 Nashville's Dominance in the East17:57 Messi's Impact and Miami's Struggles22:05 Real Salt Lake's Upset Victory29:56 Orlando's Unique Jersey Design32:17 Jersey Critique and Game Outcomes33:19 Vancouver vs. DC United: A Surprising Match35:44 The Importance of the Right System for Players38:55 Player Development and Coaching Impact41:26 Austin's Resurgence and Coaching Changes44:42 San Diego's Struggles and Goalkeeping Needs53:00 San Jose's Revival and Playoff Potential55:51 Portland's Challenges and Roster Issues01:02:07 SKC's Performance and Houston's Red Card Incident01:03:34 Houston's Top Four Hopes01:07:23 Kansas City's Resurgence01:08:19 Cincinnati's Defensive Woes01:09:16 The Rise of Prince Owusu01:10:11 Colorado's Struggles01:14:17 The Unpredictable Western Conference01:17:44 NYCFC's Playoff Dilemma

Russell, Beau, and Gavin recap week 25 of the MLS regular season00:00 Intro04:24 Philadelphia vs. SKC: The Comeback of the Week14:44 Hudson River Derby: NYCFC vs. Red Bulls Showdown45:20 Lionel Messi's Dominance in MLS Stats49:12 San Diego's Missed Opportunities57:50 Houston's Playoff Prospects01:00:28 Comparing Houston and Minnesota01:03:16 Rivalries and Upcoming Matches01:05:05 Final Thoughts on Playoff Scenarios01:14:08 New England Revolution's Surprising Success01:17:15 Vancouver's Rising Star01:17:49 Chicago Fire's Struggles and Tactical Adjustments01:21:17 Impact of Key Player Departures01:24:48 LA Galaxy's Road Victory and Player Highlights01:27:08 USMNT Camp and Young Talent01:27:54 DC United's Coaching Philosophy and Club Culture01:28:26 St. Louis' Unbeaten Streak and Future Prospects

Russell and Beau recap week 24 of MLS regular seasonTimestamps00:00 Intro01:57 Philadelphia's Dominance and Scoring Records03:54 Refereeing Controversies and VAR Decisions07:53 Injury Impact on Seattle and Other Teams11:57 MLS Playoff Race and Team Form Analysis17:02 Nashville and Other Teams' Recent Performances21:05 Miami's Struggles and roster issues25:09 Seattle's Challenges and Future Outlooks29:47 Referee Insights and VAR Challenges39:50 The Physicality of MLS and Refereeing Difficulties50:09 Team Strategies, Injuries, and Player Impact

Russell, Beau, and Gavin recap week 23 of the MLS regular seasonTimestamps00:00 — Intro04:01 — Coach of the Year Debate: St. Louis, Vancouver, and Nashville12:01 — Will MLS Fans Support the U.S. Open Cup?15:47 — Chicago Fire 4–4 Toronto FC: Josh Sargent’s Hat Trick23:13 — FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City: The Controversial Penalty30:44 — Portland’s Nine-Goal Thriller and Janssen’s Historic Hat Trick35:23 — Columbus’ Big Win: Does It Mean a Turnaround?44:01 — Portland’s Momentum and Minnesota’s Defensive Collapse47:52 — LAFC’s Slump51:37 — San Jose’s Collapse and Austin’s Late Equalizer55:24 — Quick Hits: Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Seattle65:19 — Miami vs. Atlanta: A Wild Finish at Home68:12 — LA Galaxy vs. New England: Is New England Losing Momentum?70:41 — Biggest Losers of the Week

Russell and Gavin recap week 22 of MLS regular seasonTimestamps00:00 Intro02:41 Player Performances: Cavan Sullivan and Milan Iloski03:10 Portland Timbers' season prospects after Kevin Kelsey's departure04:58 Orlando's Griezmann: Impact and Goal Contribution05:36 Lionel Messi's performance and impact in MLS07:27 LA Galaxy's Marco Reus: Contribution and Role08:20 Casemiro's experiment as center back for Miami10:06 Charlotte's Recent Wins and Team Performance10:52 Saint Louis's recent match and squad depth concerns12:22 MLS Scheduling and Match Timing Preferences13:44 Upcoming matches for Colorado and their playoff chances15:04 Transfer Rumors: Jack McGlynn to Europe16:00 New England Revolution's resurgence and player performances17:45 MLS Standings and Playoff Contenders20:04 Columbus Crew's struggles and transfer market issues20:05 Weekend Match Highlights and Key Moments22:30 Player Impact and Future Predictions23:48 Nashville's historic season and coach BJ Callaghan27:10 Seattle's recent form and playoff outlook37:20 MLS season records and Nashville's pursuit of history43:46 Closing thoughts and team analysis