Talkin' Touches — Sporting Kc & Mls

We played down a man on this episode. Andy and Sean discuss all the lineup changes in the match against FC Cincinnati. Zelalem made his MLS debut. Busio balled out. Barath and Fontas make a good pairing. Zendejas looks to be the clear number two behind Melia. We end the show previewing the CCL match vs Monterey, and talk about what this Champions League run means. Subscribe to the Patreon to support the podcast. www.patreon.com/talkintouches 

Sporting lose 5-0 to Monterey in the first leg of their CONCACAF semifinal, and the less said about it the better. Ashley Scoby fills in for Charles. She and Andy talk through the loss. Andy does have one bit of personal news that should brighten everyone's spirits. Listen to the postgame shows live by subscribing to Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

On today's episode (recorded March 8), Andy sits down with David Ficklin, Executive Director of the Kansas City 2026 FIFA World Cup Bid, to talk about the ongoing efforts to bring the World Cup to KC, the obstacles facing KC's bid, the perception of KC outside of MLS circles, and whether or not Kansas Citians should want FIFA setting up shop in the wake of their numerous scandals. To support Talkin' Touches on Patreon (and get all interviews the day they're released): https://patreon.com/talkintouches

Sporting KC throttle Montreal 7-1 (2:03). Gerso was the best player on the field for large portions of the match (3:43). BuT WhO wIlL ScOrE GoALz? (12:03). Fontas returned to the starting lineup (18:43). Another chapter of the Roger Espinoza Appreciation Society (27:45). To finish things off Andy and Charles look ahead to the CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal against Monterrey. Subscribe to the Patreon and listen to the postgame show live.  www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Who would the TT Crew vote MVP and Coach of the Year for the first month? How fun is LAFC's Lattif Blessing? What do managers think of international call-ups? The show finishes with MLS Live Memorial Power Rankings. Support the show by subscribing to the Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

No Sporting KC match means mailbag time. We asked for questions and you came through. Should Barath start? Back three? What is Zelalem's future? And a bonus question that got some very weird answers.  Support the show by subscribing to the Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

The full squad is back and talking about SKC advancing to the semifinal of CONCACAF Champions League (3:18), the draw away to Colorado (16:30). Tim Melia did a bad, and Charles and Andy discuss keeping the ball (18:23). After six matches what is the grade on how Vermes rotated the team (26:40). There have been a rash of injuries since the last match (32:39). Barath has solidified himself as the third center back (42:13).  Support the show by subscribing to the Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

After a decade with Sporting KC, David Ficklin is leading the charge to bring the World Cup to Kansas City in 2026. To hear the interview in its entirety (and support Talkin' Touches): https://www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Sporting KC save the season and beat Philadelphia 2-0 in their MLS home opener. Tim Melia played great and saved a penalty (9:18). Botand Barath has cemented himself as a quality center back (14:16). Busio made a surprise start for the suspended Roger and reviews were mixed (20:11). Gerso struggled to really make an impact again (25:19). Ilie was subbed for the first time in his SKC career (30:15). Johnny Russell continues to frustrate defenses and drew another red card (35:18). Listen to the postgame show live by subscribing to Patreon.  www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Producer Sean talks with Gerso, Ilie, Nemeth, and Besler at Sporting's media day Friday, March 8. Listen to what the guys had to say about Toluca, Independiente, scoring goals, SKC's "system" and the start of the season. Also hear a press conference with Peter Vermes. Patreon subscribers can hear more in-depth conversations. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Week 1 of MLS is in the books and the takes are flying. There was an orange ball sighting in Colorado. Michael Bradley Revenge Tour 2019 began with two goals. Jordan Morris is back on the scoresheet for Seattle. A pair of youngsters showed out in the LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire match. Andy and Charles may have overlooked the most crucial signing for Minnesota United. D.C. United played Atlanta in a match featuring the best team in the league.  Support Talkin' Touches by subscribing to the Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Sporting KC drop the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Independiente of Panama 2-1. What does a 2-1 result mean in a two-leg tie? Peter Vermes made eight changes to the starting XI. Were they the correct changes? Andy and Charles might put some people at ease with their breakdown of the match. Listen to postgame shows live on Discord by subscribing to the Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Sporting KC drop their 2019 MLS opener, 2-1 to LAFC. Peter Vermes put out the same team that played in Toluca three days prior, and Andy and Charles have some thoughts about that decision (2:37). Adding injury to insult, Andreu Fontas left the match with an apparent hamstring injury (22:21). The bright spot was Krisztian Nemeth scoring his third goal in three games (30:01). You could have listened to this episode live if you were a Patreon subscriber. Support the show at www.patreon.com/talkintouches

The 2019 MLS kicks off this weekend. LA Galaxy finally have a compliant roster...maybe. Nick Rimando announces that 2019 will be his final year in MLS. After the news, Andy and Charles breakdown some of the new faces in new places. Then 2019 predictions.  Support Talkin' Touches by subscribing to the Patreon at www.patreon.com/talkintouches

The 2019 MLS regular season is upon us, but first Andy and Charles recap Sporting's romp of Toluca in CONCACAF Champions League (3:45). Then they look ahead to the MLS opener versus LAFC (25:24). Then we try to get ahead of the narrative and make some 2019 predictions (32:47). Support Talkin' Touches by subscribing to the Patreon at www.patreon.com/talkintouches

On today's episode, Andy, Charles and @producersean sit down with Sporting KC creative director (A.K.A. kit designer) Chad Reynolds to talk about SKC's brand new primary kit for the 2019 season, and so much more about the entire process of designing and creating a team's kits year after year, how long it takes from concept to launch date, likes and dislikes of kits gone by, and how the team's visual identity is built around what the players wear on the field. We REALLY nerded out on this one, so beware.   To support Talkin' Touches on Patreon (and get all interviews the day they're released): https://patreon.com/talkintouches

Andy and Charles break down Sporting's 3-0 beat down of Toluca FC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League tie. Turns out Toluca weren't as good as we expected. Several SKC players looked in midseason form. Nemeth got off to a good start. Gerso played well in a surprise start.  If you want to listen to postgame shows live, subscribe to Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Sporting KC kit designer Chad Reynolds talks about the 24-month process of designing SKC's kits, and the challenge of predicting two years ahead where fashion is heading. To hear the interview in its entirety (and support Talkin' Touches): https://www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Andy like USMNT again, but Gooch remains unconvinced. Miguel Almiron has been sold for an MLS record fee. Giovinco could be on his way out as well. Not to be outdone, Kaku is wants to leave and is tweeting through it.  Support Talking' Touches by subscribing to our Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches

Ike Opara has been traded to Minnesota United, and Andy and Charles breakdown the trade from all sides (7:35). What was Peter Vermes' thought process in dealing the former defender of the year (27:57)? What will Sporting do moving forward (42:02)? Support Talking' Touches by subscribing to our Patreon. www.patreon.com/talkintouches