Offside With Taylor Twellman

Hang on tight—MLS fans are in for a wild ride the rest of the summer. On today’s episode, Taylor sits down with fellow MLS Season Pass analyst Sacha Kljestan, who participated in the All-Star Skills Challenge on Tuesday night. The two break down everything you need to know about Wednesday’s All-Star Game in Columbus between the best of MLS and LIGA MX. Then they look ahead to what’s sure to be an exciting Leagues Cup—which starts Friday, July 26. Plus, Taylor shares a behind-the-scenes story from the 2005 All-Star Game, when he won MVP. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Larry Nance Jr. has been in the NBA for almost a decade. But his true love isn’t basketball. It’s soccer. On this week’s episode, Taylor sits down with Larry, a forward for the Atlanta Hawks, to learn what sparked his passion for the beautiful game. The first pro soccer match Larry attended was a Galaxy game when he was a rookie with the Lakers, and last year he became a part owner of Leeds United in England’s Championship division. Larry also shares what it was like playing with Kobe and LeBron and talks about why the debate over those two greats is tougher for him than the Messi vs. Ronaldo question. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last year’s El Tráfico at the Rose Bowl was the United States’ most attended sports game of 2023, and the derby is one of the most exciting and bitterly contested rivalries in MLS. But it’s also one of the league’s newest. So how did El Tráfico reach these heights? To tell the full story, we have to go back to a graffiti duel between fans waged on the streets of Los Angeles, before the LA Galaxy and LAFC ever played a game. We hear from Geoff Gouveia, whose mural for LAFC was defaced by Galaxy fans in 2017, and Ms. Yellow, a muralist who’s worked with the Galaxy. But no story about El Tráfico would be complete without an account of that blockbuster first meeting, featuring superstars Carlos Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Because on March 31, 2018, all that buildup between the fans paid off. Two players on the pitch that day, the Galaxy’s Daniel Steres (now with Houston) and LAFC’s Benny Feilhaber (now head coach of Sporting Kansas City II), break down one of the most exciting games in MLS history. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass Check out Geoff’s art here: https://www.instagram.com/geoffgouveia/ and Ms. Yellow’s here: https://www.instagram.com/msyellowart/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Angel City FC, the LA-based National Women’s Soccer League club, was recently named the most valuable franchise in the league. ACFC joined the NWSL as an expansion team in 2022 and shares BMO Stadium with LAFC. From the beginning, the club made headlines with a star-studded ownership group, which includes Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, Serena Williams, and Billie Jean King. On today’s episode, Taylor speaks with Kara Nortman, venture capitalist and co-founder of ACFC, and Julie Uhrman, co-founder and president of the club, to talk about the story behind the team, the growth of women’s sports, and what drew them to sports in the first place. Plus, the Columbus Crew’s emotional farewell to Aidan Morris. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Tim Bezbatchenko realized he wasn’t going to be a Major League Soccer player, he knew he still wanted to be around the sport—so after attending law school (while playing on a USL team), he got a job at MLS headquarters. That led to successful stints as president and general manager of Toronto FC, which hoisted an MLS Cup during his tenure, and his hometown club, Columbus Crew, which won two league championships under his leadership. Now he’s taking all that knowledge to a new role as president of Black Knight Football, an organization that oversees AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League as well as clubs in Scotland, France, and New Zealand. Plus, Taylor shares his thoughts on MLS players’ presence in the Euros and Copa América. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Haji Wright’s introduction to international soccer when he scored the lone goal for the United States against Holland in the 2022 World Cup’s Round of 16. Since then, the 26-year-old winger, who has played all over Europe, signed with Coventry City of the English Championship, where he just had his best season yet with 19 goals—seven of them match winners. Haji joins Taylor to talk about his early days playing soccer, his friendships with fellow USMNT players, and the goal that got family members to stop pressuring him to switch to basketball. Plus, Taylor breaks down the significance of San Diego FC’s newest signing, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Real Salt Lake is off to their best-ever franchise start, leading the West and just three points off from leading the Supporters’ Shield race — four years after finishing near the bottom of the league. One of the key figures behind this turnaround is head coach Pablo Mastroeni. On this week’s episode, Taylor sits down with Pablo to talk about his coaching philosophy, why he thinks stats can take a manager only so far, and why he thinks this RSL team can go all the way. Plus, the two reminisce about their time together on the US Men’s National Team in the 2000s. Vote for your MLS All-Stars here: https://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2024/vote/fan-vote Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Crew aim to be the fourth MLS side to win the Concacaf Champions Cup when they travel to face storied Liga MX club Pachuca this weekend. There’s more than continental bragging rights on the line: The winner gets an automatic bid to the next year’s FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the U.S. So far, Seattle are the only MLS team to qualify, through their own Concacaf win in ’22. For this week’s episode, Taylor breaks down what to expect with Sammy Sadovnik, Spanish-language play-by-play voice for MLS Season Pass—who’s covered Liga MX for decades—and Stu Holden, FOX Soccer’s lead analyst, who played in the tournament with the Houston Dynamo. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Filip Forsberg is an NHL All-Star from Sweden, the Nashville Predators’ all-time leading goal scorer, and—since last spring—a minority owner of Nashville SC. Taylor sits down with Filip to talk about his soccer roots, why he loves Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović, and how he got to experience Nashville SC’s incredible Leagues Cup run last year, which collided with Messi Mania and Inter Miami CF in the final. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rivalries live and die by the fans. And in Texas, the three teams—FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, and Austin FC— compete for the Copa Tejas trophy. Soccer culture in Texas is big, dense, and diverse—just like the state. So this week’s episode is all about the fans whose happiness depends on winning Copa Tejas. There’s Paul Fletes, lead trumpet for the supporter band La Murga de Austin, Collin Coovert of Dallas’ El Matador, and Jesus Martinez, co-leader of Houston’s El Batallón, the first barra brava in MLS. They each make the case for why their supporters’ group is the best in Texas and share what it’s like to sit in the stands with the diehards during a Copa Tejas match. Plus, Taylor breaks down Cincy’s big win. Thanks to Rigo Rodriguez of La Murga de Austin for providing additional audio. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s Rivalry Week. Across Major League Soccer, bitter rivals, old and new, are gearing up for matches that fans have had circled on their calendars since the 2024 schedule came out. Rivalries are a big deal for players too. FC Cincinnati center back Nick Hagglund tells Taylor that when the schedule comes out, the first ones he looks for are the Hell Is Real matchups with the Crew. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Nick talks about the pride and pressure he feels representing his hometown against Columbus, how this derby compares to previous rivalries he’s played in, and what this upcoming clash means to FCC’s season. Plus, Taylor shares some of his favorite memories of New England’s rivalry matches from his time in the league. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the pitch, Giorgos Giakoumakis comes across as a cocky striker. A bruiser who will do anything to score. An absolute villain. But there’s more to the big man than that. In a special episode of Offside, Giorgos opens up about his life story, including growing up in Crete, his early struggles in the Greek leagues, his scoring titles in Europe, and finally finding a home at Atlanta United. Also, Atlanta players Brad Guzan and Brooks Lennon tell Taylor why Giorgos makes such a great teammate, and technical director Carlos Bocanegra recalls how he convinced Giorgos to make the switch to MLS. Plus, Paul John Dykes, host of the podcast A Celtic State of Mind, shares how GG became a fan favorite at Celtic FC in Glasgow and why they miss him to this day. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In MLS, there’s no such thing as a win you can count on. Rules around roster-building and salary caps mean even a last-place club can give the league’s best a run for their money on any given week—and the playoff system gives everyone a shot at a dramatic turnaround. This week, we share two of the greatest single-season comebacks in league history: Sporting Kansas City in 2023 and the 2016 Seattle Sounders FC. Taylor sits down with Johnny Russell, Sporting’s captain, to talk about SKC going winless over their first 10 matches last year to making the playoffs. Then Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer discusses leading the Sounders from a lackluster regular season to their first MLS Cup in 2016. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Paul Scheer is known for his roles in The League and Fresh Off the Boat, his long-running podcast on bad movies called How Did This Get Made?, and being a die-hard Clippers fan. But in recent years, he’s also been swept up into the LA soccer scene, going to LAFC and Angel City FC matches. On this week’s episode, Paul and Taylor talk about the Messi Mania they experienced at LA Galaxy’s home opener, the need for a Bad News Bears–style soccer movie, and why Paul’s new book, Joyful Recollections of Trauma (out May 21), is the perfect title for a Clippers fan. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Diego “El Maestro” Valeri, less than two years out of professional soccer, is two months into his new job as lead analyst for the Spanish broadcast on MLS Season Pass. On this week’s episode, Diego joins Taylor to talk about the transition to commentary, interviewing Lionel Messi, and his legendary career with the Portland Timbers. Plus, MLS newcomer Eric Ramsay discusses being a first-time head coach for Minnesota United, experiencing a “Wonderwall” victory for the first time, and early signs of progress at the club. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Herdman took over as head coach at Toronto FC late last season, when the club finished in last place. But this year they seem to be turning it around. On this week’s episode, Taylor and John discuss his philosophy for leading a team through transition, something he’s done for the New Zealand women’s national team and both the Canadian men’s and women’s teams. They also talk about how John struggled with his mental health in the wake of personal tragedy, and why his ultimate goal is to lead the first team in MLS to complete the quadruple—four competition championships in one year. Plus, Taylor previews what’s sure to be an electric El Tráfico. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. If you or someone you know needs support, go to apple.com/heretohelp for resources. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just how hard is it for an MLS All-Star to dust off the cleats after two years of retirement and play in a competitive game? On this week’s episode, Taylor speaks with MLS Season Pass colleague Sacha Kljestan about his decision to take the field for semi-pro club Des Moines Menace in the U.S. Open Cup. Sacha explains how the opportunity came about, and just how wrecked his body was after playing 120 minutes. Plus, after an international break that saw almost 100 MLS players represent 33 countries, Taylor explores the unexpected results these breaks can bring—and how MLS provides critical support to U.S. Soccer’s youth system. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

San Diego FC are set to join MLS in 2025 as the 30th club. They’re following a familiar expansion playbook: Find an underserved market, bring investors on board, and get a stadium. But as CEO Tom Penn—who also helped start LAFC—points out, there are a couple things that make this club different. For one, they’re the first major men’s pro team in the U.S. to have a Native tribe, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, as part of their ownership group. Additionally, the club is banking on its youth academy program, which aims to recruit the best players from San Diego and Tijuana. On this week’s episode, Taylor sits down with Tom to talk about the new club and why he wanted to do this whole thing again. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inter Miami CF have shown us they are unbeatable at their best. The flip side? Every club is giving them their very best shot. This week, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio and Pablo Maurer join Taylor to talk through how Miami became the most wanted victory in MLS, as well as their upcoming trip to D.C. United—a club that itself was once the league’s “most wanted” and is showing signs of hope after a down year in ’23. Then Pablo and Paul offer their reporting expertise on stories brewing in the background of the season. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It seems like every week, the big question for most teams in MLS is: Who’s going to score? So on this week’s episode, scoring legend and New York Red Bulls great Bradley Wright-Phillips joins Taylor—a bit of a scoring legend himself—to talk about scoring goals in MLS. They discuss BWP’s career, which can be seen as a blueprint for overseas players looking to find success in the league, and how his approach netted him 126 MLS goals. Plus, they expand on his thoughts on the state of scoring in the league today. Offside With Taylor Twellman is a Major League Soccer podcast, produced by Apple TV and Rain Delay Media. Follow and listen on Apple Podcasts. Want to talk to Taylor? Call (646) 571-8496 or email offsidepodwithtaylor@gmail.com with questions. http://apple.co/Offside-MLSSeasonPass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.