Football, Without Hesitation
One guy and his journey through the growing world of Bay Area Soccer. From the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS to Monterey Bay FC and Oakland Roots in USL Championship to anything else in between!
info_outline
California Lovin'
06/04/2022
California Lovin'
The San Jose Earthquakes suffered a tough 3-2 loss to LAFC, but Jeremy Ebobisse cannot stop scoring! Jebo's brace puts him at nine goals for the season, the second-highest total of his career. Monterey Bay F.C. kept its hot streak alive by trouncing the Colorado Springs Switchbacks 4-2 at Cardinale Stadium. Chase Boone scored an absolute golazo while Adrian Rebollar continues to impress in his rookie campaign. Next up is a re-match with Oakland Roots on Saturday.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/23324879
info_outline
Slugging it Out in Louisville
05/28/2022
Slugging it Out in Louisville
With the Matias Almeyda experiment quickly fading in the rear-view mirror the San Jose Earthquakes are playing a more mechanical but successful system under Alex Covelo. The Quakes are out of the basement but they still have a way to go if they want to find themselves in a playoff spot at the end of the season. Monterey Bay F.C. went to Kentucky to face Eastern Conference-leading Louisville City FC and earned a shocking 2-0 victory. This historic win sets the Canners up nicely for an upcoming three-game homestand at beautiful Cardinale Stadium
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/23254058
info_outline
The Walking Wounded
04/23/2022
The Walking Wounded
Monterey Bay FC is on a bye week and it comes at the perfect time as the team is struggling with a number of injuries. The biggest news of the week was the final act of the Matias Almeyda saga in San Jose. After a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC, the team announced that they had parted ways with the charismatic manager. Monterey Bay FC has one match left before their much-anticipated opening home match on May 7. San Antonio FC is looking for another clean sheet against a Monterey side that has struggled to get the ball in the net.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/22884668
info_outline
Monterey Bay We Have A Soccer Team
03/18/2022
Monterey Bay We Have A Soccer Team
After a year of waiting, Monterey Bay FC began to play in USL Championship. The result did not go our way, but we finally got to see how Frank Yallop had prepared the boys. Mayra Gomez joins me in the studio to break down the first match. We also talk about the first-ever watch party at XL Publichouse hosted by our own supporter's group, Fuerza Union. We made it out to practice this week and talked to some of the players about their first match experience. Walmer Martinez talks about what it's like to play professional soccer at the college where he got his degree. Adrian Rebollar breaks down his goal, scored 24 hours after Monterey Bay announced his signing. We ask the newest signing, Simon Dawkins, about his expectations and how his extensive experience can help the young players in the locker room. Head Coach Frank Yallop talks about this weekend's opponent Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, and how he thinks Monterey Bay can get its first win ever.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/22488668
info_outline
The First Match Ever for Monterey Bay FC Has Arrived!
03/12/2022
The First Match Ever for Monterey Bay FC Has Arrived!
A little over a year after announcing Monterey Bay FC as the newest member of the USL Championship, they are ready to play actual soccer. This week I go over the midfielders and forwards and talk about who may start in what position. I also talk about their first opponent, Phoenix FC, and what a challenge they pose for them on week 1. The San Jose Earthquakes pulled off an improbable comeback down a man against the Columbus Crew. They continue their Eastern Conference play with a visit to Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/22427201
info_outline
Stumblin' Out of the Blocks
03/05/2022
Stumblin' Out of the Blocks
The San Jose Earthquakes got the 2022 MLS season underway by getting steamrolled at home by New York Red Bulls. Matias Almeyda deployed an experimental lineup with Judson on the bench and Jackson Yuiell starting at center back. So far, the experiment hasn't worked out, but luckily the Quakes have an in-form Columbus Crew team visiting Pay Pay Park this Saturday. That gives them one more chance to prove that they plan on playing competitive soccer the rest of the season. We are one week away from the start of the USL Championship season, and our intro into Monterey Bay FC continues. This week we dig into the defensive side of the ball, and we talk about the signings so far and where they may line up against Phoenix Rising.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/22347617
info_outline
The 2022 Major League Soccer Season Get's Underway
02/26/2022
The 2022 Major League Soccer Season Get's Underway
It's late February but the 2022 Major League Soccer season is about to kick off. The San Jose Earthquakes start the season against the New York Red Bulls at Pay Pal Park. This might be Matias Almeyda's last season as the leader of the Quakes but there are still several questions to answer. I also talk some news from Monterey Bay FC who announced another exciting partnership. I also give a crash course on the USL Championship and how Monterey Bay fits into this exciting league.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/22266416
info_outline
New Format, Same Podcast
02/23/2022
New Format, Same Podcast
One of the USL Championships' newest teams, Monterey Bay FC, will be playing 15 minutes away from our studios in downtown Salinas. That means the show will be slightly different going forward but with even more soccer talk. The San Jose Earthquakes are still the main topic, but with so many professional teams in Northern California, some growth was neccesary. This week I talk about the Quakes season, which is coming up quicker than ever, and I also talk about Monterey Bay FC and what the season is looking like for them!
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/22227272
info_outline
The Playoff Chase is On
09/24/2021
The Playoff Chase is On
With less than ten matches left in the season, the San Jose Earthquakes have some work to do if they want to keep up with the pack in the Western Conference. I look around at the teams around them in the standings to see who they play in the next month. Up first for the Quakes is an LAFC team that has been Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde all season long.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/20585924
info_outline
Cali Clasico Win and All-Star Break
09/04/2021
Cali Clasico Win and All-Star Break
Going into the All-Star break the San Jose Earthquakes are one of the hottest teams in MLS. On top of that, they beat the LA Galaxy in a lopsided Cali Clasico in Carson. They aren't the only Bay Area soccer team charging up the table, Oakland Roots are on an unbeaten run of their own and are looking to find a way to sneak into the USL Championship playoffs but have a tough task ahead of them against Tampa Bay Rowdies.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/20357129
info_outline
Bay Area Soccer
07/31/2021
Bay Area Soccer
The San Jose Earthquakes signed Nathan to shore up their leaky defense, and it has paid dividends so far. Unfortunately, their inability to score goals has prevented them from moving up the Western Conference table. One of the most difficult parts of the schedule is coming up. What might it look like in September?
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/19988108
info_outline
Nathan Has Arrived!
07/24/2021
Nathan Has Arrived!
The San Jose Earthquakes are still dealing with a winless streak that dates back to early May but a glimmer of hope has showed up in the form of a 6'2" Brazilian named Nathan. He was recently named to his first MLS Team of the Week in just his third MLS start. I look deeper into his performance in his first three matches to show that he has been one of the best defenders in MLS since his debut.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/19915103
info_outline
Earthquakes and Austin FC Breakdown
06/19/2021
Earthquakes and Austin FC Breakdown
The San Jose Earthquakes have lost their last four matches and are looking to change their fortunes in Texas this weekend. In front of them are 11 determined players and a whole city ready to show off to a national audience. It seems like a daunting task but the Quakes under Almeyda have thrived in these kind of tension filled matchups. Also I finally get into the Oakland Roots and how their first season in the USL Championship is going. That Oakland vs. Sacramento rivalry is getting spicy!!
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/19532357
info_outline
Earthquakes Trying To Turn Things Around After 3 Loses
05/27/2021
Earthquakes Trying To Turn Things Around After 3 Loses
The strong start the San Jose Earthquakes enjoyed the first month of the season has come to a screeching halt as the quality of opponents has gone up. They have a chance to get things back on track this weekend when they face the Galaxy in the first Cali Clasico of the year. Galaxy has relied on Chicharito for their offense and nothing else while their defense has given up 11 goals. How do I think they can leave Los Angeles with three points? Listen and find out!
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/19258568
info_outline
Back-to-Back Wins and Looking at Real Salt Lake
05/06/2021
Back-to-Back Wins and Looking at Real Salt Lake
The San Jose Earthquakes took the lead in the first minute when Eduardo "Chofis" Lopez scored his first Major League Soccer goal and never looked back against D.C. United. For the second week, they overwhelmed their opponent, with 17-year-old Cade Cowell taking the lead. His 1 goal 2 assist performance earned him Player of the Week Honors and sent a buzz across the nation. Next up for the Quakes is a Real Salt Lake team that sprinted out of the gate and has won both matches they have played this season.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/19000838
info_outline
Quakes Dominate FC Dallas and Looking at D.C. United
04/30/2021
Quakes Dominate FC Dallas and Looking at D.C. United
The San Jose Earthquakes had one of their better performances in the Matias Almeyda era beating FC Dallas 3-1 in the first match at PayPal Park in over a year. 17-year-old Cade Cowell was a one man wrecking crew scoring a goal and dishing up one of the cleanest assists you will ever see. Next up for San Jose is a D.C. United team that got its first victory last week in sloppy fashion.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/18920567
info_outline
Quakes Lose in Houston and Breaking Down FC Dallas
04/21/2021
Quakes Lose in Houston and Breaking Down FC Dallas
The San Jose Earthquakes kicked off the 2021 Major League Soccer season on a stormy Texas evening against Houston Dynamo. The team came in slightly unprepared as many factors prevented them from having a normal offseason, and it showed on the pitch. Now the team must regroup and face a stronger opponent from Texas in FC Dallas. What can Almeyda do to get his team the first points of the season?
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/18802433
info_outline
Western Conference Preview and Houston Dynamo Analysis
04/13/2021
Western Conference Preview and Houston Dynamo Analysis
The Major League Soccer offseason is almost over, and we are finally going to get to see what Matias Almeyda can do with a roster of his choice. I decided to pull out my crystal ball and see what I think the Western Conference will look like at the end of the season. I also break down the Earthquake's week 1 opponent Houston Dynamo and go through their depth chart to see what Wondo and the boys might be up against on Saturday.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/18703829
info_outline
MLS Full Season Schedule Is Out!
04/07/2021
MLS Full Season Schedule Is Out!
We are a couple of weeks away from the start of the 2021 Major League Soccer season, and now we know the full schedule that lies ahead for the San Jose Earthquakes. Matias Almeyda has been building his roster for the last three seasons, and now it may be his last chance to show the people of San Jose how far he can take this squad. Will the jam-packed schedule of this year help or hurt the Quakes? We will start finding out in 10 days.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/18631283
info_outline
Earthquakes Pre-season in Santa Barbara
03/25/2021
Earthquakes Pre-season in Santa Barbara
Matias Almeyda loves to take his teams to sunny Mexican beaches for pre-season training. The current travel restrictions prevented him from doing that this season so the ho-hum beach town of Santa Barbara will have to this season. Also, what insight could a potential sale of Orlando City give us into the current value of MLS squads.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/18462182
info_outline
Waiting For Actual Soccer to Begin
03/06/2021
Waiting For Actual Soccer to Begin
The 2021 MLS season inches closer, and I dig deep to try to find some Quakes news to talk about. Luckily a year packed with soccer all over the world is about to begin. Up first for Jackson Yueill, JT Marcinkowski, Cade Cowell, and the rest of the U-23 men's national team is the Olympic qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. Continuing the USMNT talk, I speak on a tap of a finger by a member of the senior team that made me realize, again, how much of an outsider I am in the country I was born in.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/18215735
info_outline
Earthquakes Add Three Players
02/19/2021
Earthquakes Add Three Players
The San Jose Earthquakes continue to build their roster for the 2021 season by adding three players to their roster. Eric Remedi comes over from Atlanta United and adds much-needed depth on the defensive side of the midfield. Luciano Abecasis comes from Paraguay's Club Libertidad with a tough task ahead of him. Finally, the Quakes stayed local while looking for offensive help with the signing of 21-year-old forward Benji Kikanovic. Will these moves make the Quakes competitive in 2021? These are my thoughts.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/18009071
info_outline
Another Week Another Almeyda Rumor
02/05/2021
Another Week Another Almeyda Rumor
Just when we thought we could focus on the upcoming start of the MLS preseason, Chile enters the mix and seems to be interested in Matias Almeyda's services. As is standard in San Jose, nobody knows much about anything, but we, the supporters, hope for at least one more season of the Argentinian on the sidelines. Also, a new USL team is coming to the Monterey Bay area, giving us one more option to watch live professional soccer.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/17829248
info_outline
MLS Superdraft Aftermath
01/29/2021
MLS Superdraft Aftermath
The San Jose Earthquakes selected Cal forward Thomas Williamson and North Carolina State midfielder George Asomani last week in the Superdraft. Both players will add some depth to a squad known for their high-intensity play that can sometimes hit a physical wall. The big signing news of the week was the addition of midfielder Eduardo "Chofis" Lopez, who will fill the hole in the lineup left by Magnus Eriksson's departure.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/17734382
info_outline
2021 MLS Superdraft Preview
01/20/2021
2021 MLS Superdraft Preview
The Superdraft is upon us! It has never been the major event Major League Soccer would like it to be but there are some good players ready to make the jump and teams like the Earthquakes can find some key pieces. Oz think they can bolster their defense here leaving more money available to sign a goal scoring threat. Can a player like Ben Di Rosa or Justin Malou come in and fill in the gap left by Nick Lima?
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/17618480
info_outline
The Grass is Greener in San Jose
01/13/2021
The Grass is Greener in San Jose
As the Major League Soccer offseason grinds on, not much news is coming out of Coleman Avenue. We still don't know if we will be allowed to see our Quakes in person this season, but the players can look forward to an updated pitch at the stadium. After struggling to keep their playing surface together last season, the team upgrades to one of the most sophisticated in North America. The yearly Almeyda rumors are quickly quieted, but the Quakes remain silent on the new signing front.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/17527214
info_outline
Goodbye Nick Lima and Danny Hoesen
12/20/2020
Goodbye Nick Lima and Danny Hoesen
The expansion draft for Austin FC started saw a couple of familiar faces leave San Jose as Nick Lima and Danny Hoesen were selected by the new team. Now the San Jose Earthquakes front office has a lot of money to throw around and build on this season that ended in the first round of the playoffs. What will they do? Also, the Columbus Crew are the 2020 MLS Champions after a dominating performance over Seattle Sounders.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/17261588
info_outline
MLS Final is Set and Earthquakes Make Offseason Moves
12/11/2020
MLS Final is Set and Earthquakes Make Offseason Moves
After almost losing its beloved soccer team to a Texas move, the Columbus Crew face the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Final this Saturday. At this point, the Sounders seem like an unstoppable machine, but I think Columbus can ride the emotional high to win their second cup. The Earthquakes also announced a slew of offseason moves that see some beloved names leave the South Bay.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/17151023
info_outline
Earthquakes Play Sporting Kansas City to the Edge
11/23/2020
Earthquakes Play Sporting Kansas City to the Edge
The San Jose Earthquakes almost defied the American soccer community by taking Sunday 1st round playoff match into penalties. Nobody outside of Northern California thought the Quakes even had a chance. After a 4th-minute goal from Sportings Roger Espinoza, it looked like most people would be proven correct. But this is 2020, and these are the Matias Almeyda Quakes. Here are my thoughts recorded a couple of hours after the end of the match.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/16913813
info_outline
Earthquakes Playoff Preview
11/18/2020
Earthquakes Playoff Preview
The San Jose Earthquakes are back in the playoffs for only the third time since 2012. Exciting for the supporters, but does this team have any chance of beating a Sporting Kansas City squad that went from 11th place in the West last season to 1st this year? If they do, it will not be easy against a team that hasn't given up a goal in three matches. But I still think there is hope, and I break down how I think they can win on Sunday in Kansas City.
/episode/index/show/fwhpodcast/id/16855670