Soccer doesn’t take a break for the holidays, and neither do Andrew and Dave in the wake of the first leg of the Conference Championships. With Matt off eating brisket in Texas somewhere, the guys celebrate Thanksgiving in the broom closet by breaking down the return of the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night.
First up, the measurement snafu at Olympic Stadium that delayed the game for half an hour, but has David making Copa Libertadores comparisons. Let’s just say it was memorable. The delay didn’t effect the Impact, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead that had Toronto FC fans thinking déjà vu following last season’s playoff disappointment. Only it wasn’t to be, as the Reds stormed back to grab two away goals. In the late game, it was a similar tale. Colorado scored first, but Seattle quickly found their feet and ended up with a 2-1 win at home that sets up a tantalizing second leg on Sunday afternoon.
Sounders right back Tyrone Mears could make the difference in that game, and he calls in to chat with the guys about the playoff atmosphere in Seattle, the team’s up-and-down 2016 campaign, Nicolas Lodeiro’s class, Jordan Morris’ future, Roman Torres’ dance moves and an international career that took some strange turns. Then Dave and Andrew offer their takes on Bruce Arena’s new/old post with the US national team and Celtic’s rumored interest in Darlington Nagbe.
In the mailbag, it’s time to give thanks. For the soccer community, for MLS, for everything that makes the beautiful game unique in the United States and Canada.
