Episodes
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Soccer 2 the MAX: USA vs Costa Rica Review: The USMNT Are Back in the World Cup
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
The United States Men's National Team only had to avoid defeat by six goals or more and they would return to the World Cup. Mission accomplished with only a 2-0 loss to a younger and more fiery Los Ticos side on the night. And while the game is ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things, Sean and Erik still a have few things to ponder in regards to what occurred.
Should the USMNT's away form during qualifying be of any concern? How big a deal is it that the USA does not have a solidified striker as of yet and there are only two FIFA windows from here to when the 2022 FIFA World Cup begins on November 21 in Qatar. Should there be worry about the Goalkeeper position after two not so confident performances from Zack Steffen?
Plus, one final look around CONCACAF as Mexico takes care of business against El Salvador in Azteca to actually finish in second place ahead of the USMNT. Canada loses in their final game as well and tops the octagonal in the first place. Is it a done deal for Costa Rica against New Zealand? Not to mention, a look ahead to the World Cup Draw on Friday, the pots the teams are in, and the rest of the landscape around the globe for World Cup Qualifying too.
Remember you can also watch Soccer 2 the MAX in video format here: https://youtu.be/3oXvoBPav-Y
Sean and Erik will be back sometime between Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2022 FIFA World Cup Draw, where the CONCACAF teams landed, and make some WAY TOO EARLY predictions on who gets out of the groups too.
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Monday Mar 28, 2022
The United States Men's National Team replicated their feat from 2017 in getting a blowout victory against Panama in the final home game of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. Thus, eliminating said team in the process and putting the USMNT a mere 90 minutes and some decent play away from punching their ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Christian Pulisic got the Hat Trick, and the FC Dallas duo of Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola nabbed the other two goals in the process. How much should we take from the win? Should there be worries about the sloppy play? Or is this all about the positives of less possession but more chances? Of course, there has to be some discussion on the individual performances too.
Plus, thoughts on who should start on Wednesday and we go around CONCACAF as Canada officially qualifies to their first World Cup since 1986 after a 4-0 thrashing of Jamaica. Mexico grinds out another one in a 1-0 win against Honduras, and Costa Rica guarantees themselves at least an intercontinental playoff spot with a 2-1 win over El Salvador.
Saturday Feb 05, 2022
Saturday Feb 05, 2022
Sean and Erik discussing the USMNT's 3-0 victory over Honduras on a four-degree evening in St. Paul Minnesota.
Set Pieces make their return as a prevalent story, Christian Pulisic doesn't start, is Kelyn Acosta now someone you have to think of as a specialist for the team, is Weston McKennie now the USA's best player?
Plus, one final trip around CONCACAF as the stage is set for the final round in late March. Canada is extremely close to qualification. while the USA, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica all fight for the remaining three spots.
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Soccer 2 the MAX: USMNT vs Canada Post-Show: Cyle Larin Wins the Day
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
On a chilly day in Hamilton Ontario playing on concrete, the Canadian Men's National Team gets a huge win over the United States Men's National Team. An early goal set the stage for a tough afternoon for the USMNT as they had to deal with a team that was happy to sit back and soak up pressure. The USA had a lot of possession but don't do much with it. Is this down to the players or coach Gregg Berhalter in being married to his system? Did he wait too long to bring on substitutions? Or was it all wrong from the start instead. Do the USA have any shot at grabbing the top spot? Or is this all about Canada from here on out?
Sean and Erik also go around CONCACAF and discuss Costa Rica's hard-fought draw with Mexico at the Azteca. Panama taking it to Jamaica and VAR finally making its presence felt in these qualifiers.
Also, can't forget to mention a HUGE win for La Selecta as El Salvador firmly end Honduras hopes and now give themselves a chance with 9 points to possibly make a leap up the standings. All of this and of course thoughts on what lies ahead for crucial games on Wednesday night as CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying comes down to the wire.
Friday Jan 28, 2022
Friday Jan 28, 2022
Soccer 2 the MAX returns to discuss the first of three games in this window of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers which begins with the United States Men's National Team getting a win by the slimmest of margins over El Salvador in Columbus Ohio.
Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins ponder if the team perhaps plays more freely without Christian Pulisic starting. What about Jesus Ferriera starting instead of Ricardo Pepe? Has Antonee Robinson solidified his spot as the most vital defender? What matters more? Consistency in victory? Or not doing more against the quality of opposition?
They also go around CONCACAF and look at what happened in the other games, including the huge win for Costa Rica over Panama and what this means for their game against Mexico. Is the USMNT vs Canada game the biggest match left? Will Panama deliver the final blow to Jamaica's World Cup chances?
Friday Dec 03, 2021
The Ralf Rangnick Era Begins at Man United, MLS Conference Finals Are Set!
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
On the other side of the pond, Manchester United has their man for the interim job as Ralf Rangnick joins the Red Devils to finish the season. Is the father of the Gengen Press the right man to see things out? Should Ronaldo be concerned due to this drastic change in style? And will this actually galvanize the players to be more cohesive and actually play like a team? Plus, thoughts on the most recent game against Arsenal and Michael Carrick saying goodbye to the club.
Despite losing their star man Taty Castellanos to a late second yellow card, NYCFC soldiered on and put their foot down in penalties to make their first-ever Eastern Conference finals appearance and oust the record-breaking supporters shield winners New England Revolution in the process. Now the MLS playoffs Semi-Finals are set with Portland and Real Salt Lake set to square off on one side and the Philadelphia Union matchup against NYCFC on the other.
Plus, the Intercontinental and European playoffs for crucial spots in the 2022 World Cup have been drawn. How are excited are CONCACAF at what's transpired? And should Portugal and Italy feel wronged? Or are their results more to blame?
Some good and very bad for the NWSL since the end of the season with a terrible revelation that now-former Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames emotionally and verbally abused players. Will this finally lead to changes in the way teams pick their head coaches? There were at least some big trades already and the United States Women's National Team won and drew in their series against Australia too.
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Soccer 2 the MAX: Canada Leads World Cup Qualifying after Beating Mexico
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
A super eventful 8th round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers gives us a new leader at the top of the table to finish out 2021 as Canada bests Mexico 2-1 on a frigid night in Edmonton to get 16 points. The game had drama from the 1st minute until the 95th minute and so much happening in-between too.
Elsewhere, the United States Men's National team only manages a draw at The Office in Kingston, Jamaica as once again some Michail Antonio magic helps the Reggae Boyz pick up another point, as the USA suffers yet another lackluster showing away from home. Considering the US have more away games left than home games, is there a way to solve this problem? Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins go through the talking points and performances from both of the big games on the night.
Plus, a customary trip around CONCACAF sees things get even tighter at the top and another squad creates a small window of distance from the other squads at the bottom. There's plenty to talk about as it is past the halfway point in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
Soccer 2 the MAX: USA vs Mexico WCQ: Dos a Cero Again!
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
Saturday Nov 13, 2021
On a rainy, at times even chilly night in Cincinnati, the United States Men's National Team faced their eternal rival in Mexico and came out the clear winners. Goals from substitute Christian Pulisic and Weston McKinnie are what appear on the stat sheet, but there's a lot to take from this game in the way the team played, in who stood out, and perhaps who has really cemented their spots in the squad.
But what about Mexico? Is Tata Martino to blame for the loss? Or is it more about the players? And should there be some worry considering who they play in their next game?
There's also the traditional trip around CONCACAF for Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins as they discuss the 1-0 victory for Canada over a younger Costa Rica. Panama going to San Pedro Sula and stealing the game away from Honduras. Plus, Alex Roldan rescues a point at home against Jamaica too.
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Ricardo Pepi looks to possibly have a move to VFL Wolfsburg possibly done soon, but with interest from Ajax, Genoa, and other clubs there's plenty of opportunities for him to go learn and ply his trade. However, with the 2022 World Cup looming playing time is also of the utmost importance.
So Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins discuss who could be the best fit for the USA's star striker, if making a move soon is the best decision, or if perhaps staying in MLS for another year may be a better option.
They get into the latest with what's been happening in the NWSL, Europe and South America looking at blocking the proposed Biennial World Cup, and if Arsene Wenger's one-month international break is a good idea or not.
Plus, Supporters Club, the Manchester United Moment, Hernan Dario Gomez becoming the new coach of Honduras, and more!
Thursday Oct 14, 2021
Soccer 2 the MAX: USA vs Costa Rica: The Sergino Dest Banger!
Thursday Oct 14, 2021
Thursday Oct 14, 2021
After falling behind super early doors 1-0 to Costa Rica, the United States Men's National Team woke up and went after it to get a goal back from an unlikely source in Sergino Dest, and then were able to force a second goal and get the big win to secure six points in this window of three games and sit firmly in second place in the Octagonal.
Sean Garmer and Erik Watkins discuss the game, some of the players that stood out, thoughts on the changes to the squad, and after six games is there a Best XI for the USA? Plus, an overall look at the team as the game against Mexico looms on November 12.
Of course, they also go around CONCACAF and discuss the nervy yet comfortable moments for Mexico in San Salvador against La Selecta El Salvador. Canada zooming past Panama for a blowout win, and Jamaica getting their first win in qualifying and sending Honduras straight to the bottom.