The Big Thing: Why aren't the Chicago Fire Better?

Taylor, Joe, and Gass dive into the wild world of MLS, starting with Leo Messi’s insane performance for Inter Miami, moving to CF Montreal’s reported choice to part ways with their CSO, and ending with progress in the West and issues in the East. Then, it’s on to a chat with Evan Ream, author of “Not When, But If?”, a book all about soccer in Sacramento. Gass and Evan chat about the new book, the sport in Sac, and the MLS expansion fiasco. Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The TSS Gang is here to review a weekend in which the two-horse Premier League title race saw Arsenal and Man City stay on track, while Liverpool recovered from their recent wobble with a big win over a sorry Tottenham side. Meanwhile, Real Madrid made their Liga win official, and Leverkusen remain undefeated! Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reports suggest that Feyenoord coach Arne Slot will replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, with the Reds having agreed a fee to buy out the 45-year-old Dutchman's contract. On this week's Big Thing, the TSS Gang explain why Slot is an excellent fit for Liverpool - but why reservations about his suitability remain. Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! LinkedIn! Post your job for free at linkedin.com/TSS! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham returns to reunite your favorite foursome, and do some Champions League reviewing! Bayern's discipline vs Carlo Ancelotti's eyebrow vibes set the stage for a back-and-forth thriller. What happens next? Plus, Dortmund wing their way past PSG. Can Mbappe and Company (PSG's new official name) find a way to be more efficient in the second leg? Plus, celebrating Columbus' CCCCCCCCCC win, which send them to the final! Great goals, smart play, crafty time wasting, and much much more from Wilfried Nancy's high flyers! Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! LinkedIn! Post your job for free at linkedin.com/TSS! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know what time it is! We tossed out some As to the following Qs: 1) How would we change the Ballon d’Or to give it more meaning? 2) Why do we hear about No. 6s, No. 9s, and No. 10s, but not No. 11s? 3) Should Reggie Cannon be in camp for the Copa America? 4) Which USMNT players could move to Wolves this summer? 5) If Bayer Leverkusen draw in one of their upcoming finals and fall in the shootout, will we consider this an unbeaten season? 6) Which is more likely: Bayern don't win the Bundesliga for the next five years or City win the Premier League for the next five years? Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! LinkedIn! Post your job for free at linkedin.com/TSS! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taylor, Joe, and Gass gather 'round to chat about the latest and greatest going on in the world of MLS. In the first segment, we take stock of San Diego FC ahead of their expansion season in 2025, with a special look at reported signing Chucky Lozano. Then we move on to a chat about a handful of teams from across the league, touching on Orlando City's issues, Austin's step forward, RSL's progress, and so much more. Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! LinkedIn! Post your job for free at linkedin.com/TSS! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a Gruesome Twosome/Dynamic Duo as Ryan and Taylor look back on a weekend that saw Arsenal and Man City turn the Premier League title race into a two-horse affair, following another disappointing Liverpool performance. Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! LinkedIn! Post your job for free at linkedin.com/TSS! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's soccer deep dive, Ryan, Taylor and Joe turn their collective attention to the Second City. Chicago Fire has heritage, the passionate support of a major city and an owner who is willing to invest - so why have they only had one MLS playoff berth since 2012. Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan is subjected to over an hour of Joe and Taylor nerding out about the USMNT player pool. We've got injury and contract updates, season catch-ups, players looking for transfers, and much more! Plus, assembling a rough Copa America roster and identifying potential problem areas - aka where do we need more depth? Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Graham is off wrestling gators, Ryan, Taylor, and Joe combine to answer your listener questions! 1) If MLS adopted a closed pro/rel system with the current 30 clubs, would that balance the schedule and make a better product?  2) Who's going to win the Premier League golden boot? 3) What’s next for Tim Ream? Will he stay in England or come to MLS? 4) Which moment in UEFA Champions League history has brought you the most joy? 5) Is Carlo Ancelotti is a better manager than Pep? 6) What are the best all-in moments in soccer history? Sponsors! Today’s episode is brought to you by… Mack Weldon! Get 20% off your first order at mackweldon.com by using promo code “TSS”! Shopify! Head to shopify.com/tss for a free trial to help grow your business! JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON! Check out our Patreon, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, blog posts, videos, and much more. Become a member today at patreon.com/totalsoccershow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices