Talk USL

The Conference Semifinals gave us one of the wildest nights in USL Championship playoff history. Charleston Battery spotted Hartford Athletic a three-goal halftime lead, then stormed back with goals in the 80th and 82nd minutes before Kirill Pakhomov headed home a 90+7' equalizer, and John Berner saved Augustine Williams in the fifth round to send the Battery through 5-4 on penalties — the largest comeback in playoff history. Out west, New Mexico United put on a statement performance at Isotopes Park, with Greg Hurst's first-half brace setting a new club single-season record in a 4-0 rout of Colorado Springs. We also cover Sacramento edging El Paso 2-1, Louisville City's 3-2 win over Miami, and the super-sub moment that has everyone talking about Showunmi.Then it's on to the Conference Finals: Charleston hosts Louisville on Saturday, and New Mexico welcomes Sacramento on Sunday with a first-ever home Western Conference Final on the line. Plus we hand out October's Player of the Month, break down the tactical trends from the semifinal round, and look ahead to the Championship Final on Nov. 21.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

We break down the first round of the USL Championship Playoffs, from Rhode Island’s shootout battle with Charleston to Miami FC’s stunning upset of Tampa Bay. We also react to Louisville’s extra-time winner over Pittsburgh, New Mexico getting job done after weather delay versus Phoenix, and much more!Plus, we discuss the Golden Awards and discuss nominees of October’s Player of the Month. Which performances stood out and who has the momentum heading deeper into the playoffs?Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

All Set for Playoffs, Who Qualified? New Mexico Conquers West in Derby, Rebranding Yay or Nay? Top 10 storylines Plus much more!The playoffs are set—but who made it, and who fell just short? We break down the final-day drama across the USL Championship, including New Mexico United’s last-gasp Derby del Camino Real win over El Paso to claim the West, the teams heading into the postseason, and the biggest moments from Decision Day. Plus, we count down my top 10 storylines from the season.The USL has a new look: We share our thoughts on the league’s fresh identity, alongside standout performances, playoff surprises, and plenty more from around the league.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have claimed the Players’ Shield, while Louisville City made LIPAFC history: Ray Serrano scored a hat trick and Chris Donovan set a league record with four assists. We’ll also break down San Antonio FC’s clutch win in the playoff race and Lexington’s dramatic, eight-goal farewell to Cashman Field.There’s just one week left in the regular season, and the playoff picture is still taking shape. We’re looking at the biggest results, the key storylines, and what’s on the line in the final push.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

Five more teams punched their tickets to the playoffs, leaving just six spots up for grabs as the USL Championship regular season races toward the finish. We break down the biggest results, including Louisville City’s clinch, Detroit’s gritty win with ten players, and Loudoun’s late surge to end Miami’s winning streak.San Antonio’s attack went scoreless again in a tense draw with Oakland, while Lexington’s Phillip Goodrum took home September Player of the Month after a remarkable scoring run. Plus, we cover the playoff picture, key performances, and plenty more from Match Day 29!Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

This week’s Matchday Spotlight zeroes in on the USL Cup Final—Hartford hosting Louisville—with our analysis focused on the contrast between Hartford’s momentum and home-field edge versus Louisville’s season-long chance quality and big-game know-how. We break down the encounter play-by-play and give thoughts on both sides’ performanceElsewhere, the race stays just as compelling: it’s Miami or Indy in the East as the playoff picture tightens and the margin for error disappears, while September Player of the Month honors headline the individual form lines driving late-season results. Out West, the pressure finally broke in a good way for two clubs—New Mexico United and Detroit City FC both clinched playoff spots, a reminder that October isn’t just about positioning anymore; for some teams, it’s about punching the ticket first, then daring the rest of the table to deal with it.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

This week we dig into the pressure points across the championship, including Indy Eleven’s wobbly form and what it means with the standings getting crowded, plus the latest headline out of Southern California as Orange County part ways with head coach Danny Stone and turn to an interim staff to steady the ship down the stretch.And with silverware on the horizon, we look ahead to the USL Cup Final with a full preview of Hartford vs Louisville and what to watch for after their fiery dress rehearsal. Add in standout moments from around the league, key performers, and a few storylines you might’ve missed, and you’ve got a packed episode.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

Matchday 26 delivered headline-makers everywhere you looked. Phillip Goodrum stayed scorching hot with another hat trick as Lexington blew the doors off Orange County, while MD Myers snapped his drought in emphatic fashion with a second-half hat trick to power Tampa Bay to a statement win. Out West, Rubio Rubín kept El Paso’s surge rolling with a brace in Phoenix, pushing the Locos to a club-record eighth straight victory and tightening the race at the top.We also hit the biggest turning points of the week: Charleston Battery clinching a 2026 playoff spot with a late set-piece winner, Indy Eleven cruising in a four-goal rout, and New Mexico’s latest collapse from a three-goal lead in a chaotic 4–4 draw with Birmingham. Plus, standout performances and the moments that are starting to shape the playoff picture as the season’s final stretch comes into view.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

Athletic Club Boise is officially moving up to the USL Championship in 2027, and we dig into why this rapid rise matters from record-breaking sellouts and a booming matchday atmosphere to real on-field proof against Championship opponents.Plus, it’s USL Cup semifinal time, and we recap the drama: Hartford’s lightning-fast start powering a win, and Louisville surviving an all-time penalty shootout marathon with Ryan Schewe’s instant-hero performance between the posts. We also cover the USL Championship’s August Player of the Month race, where Rubio Rubín takes the honors after a massive month for El Paso and much more from weekend results and implications for the table.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]

A major off-field storyline finally gets its resolution as the USL and USL Players Association reach agreement on a new five-year CBA—locking in key changes like standardized 12-month contracts, a higher minimum compensation floor, mandatory healthcare standards, and clearer player-care requirements. We break down what actually changes for players (and clubs), why it matters heading into the next phase of the league’s evolution, and how the framework for USL Premier is being put in place well ahead of its planned launch.From there, we pivot back to the pitch and the busy late-season picture across the Championship. We dig into the newly announced U.S. Open Cup format and what it means for USL clubs chasing byes and hosting advantages, run through the August Player of the Month nominees, and set the table for the USL Cup semifinals with preview and draw chatter. Plus: matchday chaos and storylines from around the league, Tampa Bay clinching a playoff berth, standout individual performances, and plenty more as the race tightens everywhere.Follow the podcast @TalkUSL across all social media channels (Instagram,YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, TikTok, X/Twitter and Facebook)Support the podcast by leaving a reviewDo you want to share your thoughts on the show? Feel free to write to host Vince Galvano by emailing: [email protected]: [email protected]