Sounders FC Pod-Cast With Brad and Zak

Sounders FC Pod-Cast returns with a must-listen episode as hosts Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans sit down with Seattle Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer for a wide-ranging, candid conversation. Schmetzer takes listeners behind the scenes of last season’s Club World Cup and Leagues Cup, sharing stories and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. He opens up about his coaching journey — from his early days as an assistant to leading the Sounders from the top — and dives into the intense competition for starting spots across the current roster. The conversation also spotlights Cristian Roldan, with Schmetzer praising his performances, leadership, and character, and explaining how those qualities have elevated his standing as a potential 2026 USMNT World Cup contributor. Plus, Schmetzer doesn’t shy away from tough moments, revealing why the playoff loss to Minnesota stands out to him as the most painful defeat in Sounders history. Insightful, honest, and full of perspective — this is an episode Sounders fans won’t want to miss.

Hosts Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans bring you a special Behind the Shield edition of the Sounders FC Pod-Cast, featuring powerful stories of impact both on and off the pitch. First, they sit down with Dr. Ty Jones, Medical Director at Regence, who was honored as a Community Hero at a Sounders match last season for his dedication to serving public employees and their families. Then, Sounders midfielder Paul Arriola joins the show to reflect on his road back from the ACL injury he suffered last season in CONCACAF play against Cruz Azul, sharing insight into his recovery, mindset, and return to action. An episode that highlights resilience, community, and the heart of the club—don’t miss it.

This week on the Sounders FC Pod-Cast, host Brad Evans is joined by Sounders FC Director of Broadcasting Keely Dunning for a quick but insightful recap of the Sounders’ dramatic playoff exit against Minnesota United. Seattle fell in penalties after a wild 3–3 draw in regulation, and Keely brings her firsthand perspective from the sideline—sharing what she saw, heard, and felt during one of the most intense matches of the season. Later in the episode, host Steve Zakuani sits down with Pam Teal and Damien Pattenaude from the Renton Schools Foundation. Together, they explore the Foundation’s essential work in the community, how they support students and families, and why their partnership with the club matters. Another episode packed with match insight, storytelling, and impactful community conversations. Tune in!

Co-hosts Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani are back — with Steve calling in from sunny Hawaii — to break down the Sounders’ first two matches of their Round 1 playoff series against Minnesota United. The guys dig into what they’ve seen so far in terms of style of play, how the 4-2 home win proved Seattle can crack open even the most frustrating defensive setups, and what it means to see Jordan Morris and Danny Musovski starting side by side up front. Tune in to watch on Apple TV, or catch the broadcast on 950 KJR AM (English) and 1360 El Rey (Spanish).

In this special episode of the Sounders FC Pod-Cast, Brad Evans sits down with rising Sounders star Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. The two dive into Kalani’s journey from his standout career at the University of Washington to being drafted by the Sounders, his steady progression onto the first team, and the powerful role his family and friends play in his success. Plus, Steve Zakuani speaks with Kelly Hipchen, Chief of Staff at Darigold and this week’s Regence BlueShield Community Hero. Kelly was recognized for her leadership within the Northwest Dairy Association cooperative, including her work supporting Darigold’s first Dairy Dash 5K in Seattle — an event that raised funds and awareness for Food Lifeline. Tune in for an inspiring look at determination, community, and the people making a difference on and off the pitch.

The Sounders are playoff-bound! Brad and Steve relive the thrilling Decision Day win over NYCFC and break down how the squad is shaping up for the postseason. They dive into the team’s place in the playoff bracket and preview the first-round showdown with Minnesota United. Plus, don’t miss a special guest appearance from Patrick D’Amelio, CEO of FareStart, as he joins the show to talk about FareStart’s incredible community impact and partnership with the Sounders. Watch on: Apple TV, FS1 & Fox Deportes Listen on: 950 KJR AM & 1360 El Rey

Decision Day has arrived, and the Seattle Sounders are gearing up for the MLS Cup Playoffs! Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans break down the Sounders’ statement win over Real Salt Lake and preview the final regular-season clash on the road against New York City FC. Plus, special guest Mitsu Iwasaki, Northwest Director and Associate Vice President of the Trust for Public Land, joins the show to share how the organization is working to expand access to parks and preserve public lands across our region. Don’t miss the action as the Sounders close out the 2025 regular season — tune in on Apple TV+ / MLS Season Pass / 950 KJR AM / 1360 El Rey.

Welcome back for a quick-hitter from Zak and Brad, just ahead of the Sounder's rescheduled home match against Real Salt Lake. The guys preview that one, go through the limited list of players available and try and predict how the team will line up at Lumen. Some major retirement announcements to discuss as well, including Steve's old Akron friend and MLS star Darlington Nagbe. For fans attending the October 11th match, head over to Olympic Hall for a live podcast experience with both Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani!

It’s rivalry week, and there’s no bigger stage than Seattle vs Portland. Zakuani and Evans preview Saturday night’s clash with the Timbers (7:30p PT – Apple TV/MLS Season Pass, 950 KJR AM, SiriusXM FC 157, El Rey 1360 AM). The guys break down Cristian Roldan’s USMNT call-up and what might be his best season yet, plus a look at the razor-thin Western Conference playoff race — could LAFC or Minnesota be waiting in Round 1? And speaking of LAFC… they’re heating up at just the wrong time for everyone else. We’ll also rewind to Men in Blazers’ night at Showbox Sodo featuring Jimmy McAllister, Brian Schmetzer, the Roldan brothers, and Paul Rothrock. And to close, a special conversation with Dionna Washington from STEM Paths Innovation Network (SPIN) — a Change Champion making a difference through high-quality STEM+Arts programs for King County youth who need it most.

On this episode of Behind the Shield, Georgi Minoungou and Sabra Bryant join Brad Evans to discuss their journeys and work in the community. Georgi gives the full story on how he ended up on the Sounders, recovering and adjusting to a medical issue affecting his eye, and how he's been able to overcome what many would have considered an insurmountable obstacle. Sabra Bryant helps lead Regence BlueShield teams that deliver exceptional health care experiences for Medicare members. Her Customer Service and Membership teams support Medicare Advantage and Supplement members with expert guidance, seamless enrollment, and responsive coverage solutions. Their commitment ensures older adults receive the care and support they need to live healthier lives. Based in Southwest Washington, Sabra holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration and management from Western Governors University.

In this edition of the Sounders FC Pod-Cast, hosts Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani took the stage at Arena Sports Mill Creek on Tuesday, September 16th to connect directly with fans. The event featured an open Q&A session where supporters brought their questions straight to the duo. Back in studio, Brad and Steve dive into several key topics shaping the soccer landscape right now: how the MLS standings are developing, what lies ahead in the remainder of the Sounders’ regular season, and their take on the current state of the U.S. Men’s National Team. Another live podcast event is already on the horizon for October—stay tuned for details!

In this week’s episode, Steve and Brad set the stage for a pivotal stretch in the Sounders’ season. They preview Saturday’s home clash against LA Galaxy and look ahead to next Tuesday’s showdown at Inter Miami, breaking down the key matchups and what’s at stake in this final stretch of the regular season. With the Western Conference standings tightening, the hosts dive into where the Sounders could – and should – finish as the postseason approaches. The episode also features an in-depth interview with goalkeeper Andrew Thomas. He reflects on his standout performances during the Leagues Cup, shares the story of how he first fell in love with soccer growing up in England, and recounts his college journey at Stanford. Thomas also discusses the mentorship he’s received from club legend Stefan Frei, and lets listeners in on some of his favorite local spots in Palo Alto. A blend of tactical insights, personal storytelling, and playoff context – this episode is a must-listen for Sounders fans gearing up for a crucial run of matches.

In this episode, Steve and Brad relive the unforgettable night at Lumen Field, where the Sounders lifted the Leagues Cup trophy with a commanding 3-0 victory over Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. They break down the performance, the key moments, and why the electric atmosphere might have been the best in stadium history. Following the match recap, the hosts sit down with Osaze De Rosario for an in-depth conversation. The young striker opens up about his unique playing style, his path to Major League Soccer, and what it was like growing up as the son of MLS legend Dwayne De Rosario. Evans also sits down with Jennifer Willows, SVP & Chief Development Officer of the YMCA of Snohomish County, highlighted through the Change Champions initiative. Willows shares the YMCA’s mission—youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility—and how it shows up locally through year-round sports, aquatics, senior wellness, and school-based programs. Willows invites Sounders fans to support by volunteering (e.g., the youth “Green Whistle” referee program) or donating at any level—keeping the YMCA an inclusive, community-built space.

Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani return to the mic for another episode of the Sounders FC Pod-Cast. Fresh off a thrilling win in the Leagues Cup, the duo break down Seattle's PK victory over Club Puebla and what it means for the team moving forward. Looking ahead, Brad and Steve preview the upcoming MLS clash against Sporting Kansas City this Sunday and share their early thoughts on a massive Leagues Cup semifinal showdown against LA Galaxy on August 27. The co-hosts discuss why Head Coach Brian Schmetzer remains one of the most underrated figures in American soccer—despite his consistent results—and explore what benchmarks would make 2025 a successful season for the Rave Green. Tune in now to get insider insight from two club legends and passionate voices of the Sounders.

In this episode of the Sounders FC Pod-Cast, host Brad Evans recaps a resounding 4-0 victory over the LA Galaxy, highlighting a dominant performance that vaulted the Rave Green into 4th place in the Western Conference standings—just behind Minnesota United, whom the Sounders face this Saturday. Evans takes a deep dive into all four goals from the match, including a clinical brace from red-hot forward Danny Musovski, who’s enjoying his finest season in Major League Soccer to date. Joining the show is Musovski himself, who shares insights on his standout form, his growth as a player, and how he earned the fan-favorite nickname “Mooseiah,” a moniker gifted by Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. Whether you're a diehard or a casual fan, this episode offers plenty to chew on heading into a key clash this weekend. Tune In:

Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans are back on the mic to break down a commanding performance from the Seattle Sounders in the opening round of this year’s Leagues Cup. The Rave Green punched their ticket to the knockout rounds with a 2-1 win over Liga MX side Club Tijuana on Wednesday night — capping off a perfect group stage run with three wins from three and a flawless nine-point tally. Zak and Brad dive into the big-picture implications of these results: Has the gap between MLS and Liga MX finally closed? The duo debate that hot topic and also revisit Pedro de la Vega’s jaw-dropping golazo against Cruz Azul — comparing where it ranks among the all-time great Sounders goals. Up next: Seattle shifts focus back to league play as they hit the road to face defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy this Sunday. Catch the match on Apple TV+ (and MLS Season Pass), FS1, FOX Deportes, or listen live on 93.3 KJR FM and El Rey 1360 AM for Spanish-language coverage.

Throughout the season, Change Champions will share stories of neighborhood impact. Together, Boeing and Seattle Sounders FC will help shine a light on local organizations that strengthen the communities where our employees and fans live and work. This episode's guest is Jeanice Hardy, Chief Officer of Programs at YWCA Seattle. Hardy joined YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish in 1998 as an Employment Counselor and was promoted to Program Director within six months. She advanced to Regional Director of King County Emergency Housing and Intervention, overseeing the largest and most diverse portfolio among YWCA regional directors—including emergency shelter, housing stability, youth services, gender-based violence programs, and parent reunification. Before YWCA, she owned Washington Works for eight years, a welfare-to-work program for low-income women.

Another special guest joins the podcast this week: Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnak sits down with Zak and Brad to breakdown his football career from the Dutch league to RSL and now as a Sounder. The four-year Sounders No. 11 also gives more insight into the club's performance in the Club World Cup, and reveals which all-time Sounder great he wishes he had played with. Then, the guys give a quick preview on Saturday's upcoming road match vs Atlanta United and give some of their thoughts on the MLS All-Star Game.

Each Behind the Shield Community Hero is honored for their dedication to improving the health and wellness of their community. Brittany Blue will be featured on the Sounders website and was honored recently at a Sounders FC home match and met her Behind the Shield player, forward Pedro de la Vega, after the game. Pedro sits down with Brad and Steve to talk his transition from Argentina to Seattle, overcoming injuries and obstacles, and his desire to win trophies with the Rave Green. Brittany is Chief Marketing and Philanthropy Officer at Sound Generations, where she has dedicated more than 16 years to building relationships and community connections to ensure older adults facing barriers in King County have access to a safety net of services, so they too can lead full and connected lives.

Brad and Steve are back this week as the Sounders return to MLS play following a solid showing in the Club World Cup. Our hosts recap a 1-1 draw to Columbus Crew, and discuss the current battles for starting spots in what may be the deepest roster in recent Sounders history. Alex Roldan joins the pod after stepping up in recent games at center back, and talks his experience learning to be versatile as well as his ability to play multiple positions. He also gives a quick play-by-play of his infamous turn as a goalkeeper for the Sounders back in 2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8oNNvGkuwo). Sounders kick off on Saturday at 5:30pm PT, on the road against SPorting Kansas City. Tune-in on 93.3 KJR AM / 1360 El Rey / MLS Season Pass.