• Kingston Stockade FC owner Dennis Crowley guests on the panel to discuss his and Miami FC owner Riccardo Silva’s claim filed in the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The two clubs are suing the USSF, FIFA and CONCACAF to force U.S. Soccer to implement a system of promotion and…
• Have you enjoyed our content? Would you like the chance to get special access to extra content and other quirky rewards, while also supporting the staff? Please consider becoming a Soc Takes patron by setting up a monthly recurring donation. Click below to become a member of Soc Takes’…
• The panel discusses the penultimate week of the NASL spring season in which Miami FC clinched the spring title with a 7-0 destruction of the San Francisco Deltas. The upcoming U.S. Open Cup match between Miami FC and FC Cincinnati also gets heavily previewed. LISTEN HERE Soc Takes is…
• Join us for another episode of the #SocTakesPod as we dissect all the NASL action from the weekend. The panel debates whether Vincenzo Rennella has positioned himself as the front-runner for the NASL Golden Boot award, and if Miami FC could theoretically compete in MLS with its existing roster….
• The panel welcomes USL Division 3 vice president Steven Short on to discuss the new league, which is still in its formative stages and plans to debut in 2019. Short also touches on the appeal of two Indiana markets: Ft. Wayne and Evansville. LISTEN HERE Thumbnail photo credit: USL…
• Aaron provides an Indy Eleven injury update from the training grounds, then he and Kevin break down Indy’s Saturday home match vs. Jacksonville Armada FC: LISTEN HERE You can follow Soc Takes on Twitter @SocTakes….
• Kevin and Nipun preview Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match between FC Cincinnati and Louisville City FC for which they’ll be on hand. The panel also recaps the Indy Eleven’s 2-1 loss at FC Edmonton on Saturday, Indy’s third consecutive NASL loss and fourth straight across all competitions. Listen: You can…
• The panel breaks down all the action from the four NASL weekend matches while awkwardly tying in a Journey motif. “Don’t Stop Believin’” — ever. Listen: Thumbnail image credit: Journey/Nomota LLC You can follow Soc Takes on Twitter @SocTakes….
• Boca Raton FC director of communications and one of the sharpest soccer minds around, Kartik Krishnaiyer, joins Aaron, Nipun and Kevin to discuss literally every soccer league in America. Strap in and enjoy the ride. Listen: You can follow Soc Takes on Twitter @SocTakes….
• Aaron Gunyon joins host Kevin Johnston to make sense of the latest injury news out of Indy Eleven. The panel also previews Indy’s Saturday clash at first-place Jacksonville Armada FC and a few other matches on the docket this weekend, before answering an excellent Twitter question from listener Jon…
• We’re joined by MLSsoccer.com senior writer Matt Doyle this week to discuss the state of U.S. Soccer, Atlanta United FC’s impressive start and the 180-degree turnaround by Minnesota United FC. The “Armchair Analyst” also sizes up the USMNT talent pool and talks about his background in the game from the media side. Listen:…
• Aaron Gunyon and Kevin Johnston join host Nipun Chopra, who discusses his breaking story regarding the possible formation of a new Division III league in U.S. Soccer. The panel then shifts its focus to the NASL, where Aaron analyzes the Jacksonville Armada’s red-hot start. And finally, Kevin recaps the Louisville City…

• Have you enjoyed our content? Would you like the chance to get special access to extra content and other quirky rewards, while also supporting the staff? Please consider becoming a Soc Takes patron by setting up a monthly recurring donation. Click below to become a member of Soc Takes’…

• Kingston Stockade FC owner Dennis Crowley guests on the panel to discuss his and Miami FC owner Riccardo Silva’s claim filed in the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The two clubs are suing the USSF, FIFA and CONCACAF to force U.S. Soccer to implement a system of promotion and…
• Have you enjoyed our content? Would you like the chance to get special access to extra content and other quirky rewards, while also supporting the staff? Please consider becoming a Soc Takes patron by setting up a monthly recurring donation. Click below to become a member of Soc Takes’…
• The panel discusses the penultimate week of the NASL spring season in which Miami FC clinched the spring title with a 7-0 destruction of the San Francisco Deltas. The upcoming U.S. Open Cup match between Miami FC and FC Cincinnati also gets heavily previewed. LISTEN HERE Soc Takes is…
• Join us for another episode of the #SocTakesPod as we dissect all the NASL action from the weekend. The panel debates whether Vincenzo Rennella has positioned himself as the front-runner for the NASL Golden Boot award, and if Miami FC could theoretically compete in MLS with its existing roster….
• The guys review USA-Mexico and Indy Eleven-Jacksonville Armada FC before turning their focus to Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match between USL side FC Cincinnati and MLS’ Columbus Crew SC — all while digesting the soothing tunes of Sarah McLachlan. LISTEN HERE Thumbnail photo credit: Jason Squires/WireImage Note: Impromptu use…
• The panel welcomes USL Division 3 vice president Steven Short on to discuss the new league, which is still in its formative stages and plans to debut in 2019. Short also touches on the appeal of two Indiana markets: Ft. Wayne and Evansville. LISTEN HERE Thumbnail photo credit: USL…
• Aaron provides an Indy Eleven injury update from the training grounds, then he and Kevin break down Indy’s Saturday home match vs. Jacksonville Armada FC: LISTEN HERE You can follow Soc Takes on Twitter @SocTakes….
• Kevin and Nipun preview Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match between FC Cincinnati and Louisville City FC for which they’ll be on hand. The panel also recaps the Indy Eleven’s 2-1 loss at FC Edmonton on Saturday, Indy’s third consecutive NASL loss and fourth straight across all competitions. Listen: You can…
• The panel previews Saturday’s game between two reeling clubs in the Indy Eleven and FC Edmonton. The focus then shifts to the U20 USMNT’s 1-0 win over Senegal that moved the team into first place in Group F. Finally, the fellas get stoked for their upcoming Soc Takes road trip to…
• The crew analyzes the successful weekend that NASL road teams enjoyed before trying to figure out some of the issues with the Indy Eleven. The fellas debate if it’s OK or warranted to boo players, then close out with some nostalgic U20 U.S. men’s national team chatter. Listen: Thumbnail photo…
• The panel previews the upcoming U.S. Open Cup match between the Michigan Bucks and Indy Eleven while exploring some surprising ties the Bucks have to the Eleven roster. The guys then shift their focus to previewing Indy’s Saturday rematch against Miami FC. Listen: You can follow Soc Takes on…
• The panel breaks down all the action from the four NASL weekend matches while awkwardly tying in a Journey motif. “Don’t Stop Believin’” — ever. Listen: Thumbnail image credit: Journey/Nomota LLC You can follow Soc Takes on Twitter @SocTakes….

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Have you enjoyed our content? Would you like the chance to get special access to extra content and other quirky rewards, while also supporting the staff? Please consider becoming a Soc Takes patron by setting up a monthly recurring donation. Click below to become a member of Soc Takes’ official “supporters’ group” today:

To set up a one-time donation instead, please contact the Soc Takes staff directly at [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration and we hope you’ve enjoyed your experience at SocTakes.com.

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• In 1996, John Harkes was named “captain for life” by then-U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson. In 1998, he was dropped from the team under mysterious circumstances. Over the next decade, via published books, rumors and mutual slandering, salacious reasons appeared to underlie the separation between Sampson and his once-beloved pupil….

• In 1996, John Harkes was named “captain for life” by then-U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson. In 1998, he was dropped from the team under mysterious circumstances. Over the next decade, via published books, rumors and mutual slandering, salacious reasons appeared to underlie the separation between Sampson and his once-beloved pupil….

• In 1996, John Harkes was named “captain for life” by then-U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson. In 1998, he was dropped from the team under mysterious circumstances. Over the next decade, via published books, rumors and mutual slandering, salacious reasons appeared to underlie the separation between Sampson and his once-beloved pupil….

FC Barcelona

In the world of soccer, file this one under big news. Hell, in any world.

According to a report by the Mirror, Manchester City is preparing to open its pocketbook to the tune of £100 million in an attempt to swipe Leo Messi from Barcelona.

Deep breaths. Deep, deep breaths.

Jorge Messi, the superstar’s father and adviser, has — according to the report — broken off talks with Barcelona. Only about 16 months remain on Lionel’s current contract with FCB.

In addition to Jorge freezing out the club, another major obstacle from Barcelona’s perspective are La Liga’s player budget rules. Teams are capped at spending no more than 70 percent of their income on player salaries.

Why is this problematic? With so many big-name, high-earning footballers on the roster, it will be very difficult to pay the Argentinian legend what he’s worth.

Luis Suarez and Neymar both signed enormous deals with the club in the past few months. In December, Suarez agreed to a new contract that will keep him in a blue and red shirt for the next 4 1/2 years.  In October, Neymar inked a five-year deal that will lock up his services through most of 2021.

And, as if there weren’t already enough concerns for FCB, Messi is also joined at the hip with Man City boss Pep Guardiola. The two developed a solid rapport during Guardiola’s tenure at Barcelona from 2008-2012.

Sky Sports

The Mirror report also suggests that Barcelona has been plotting to bring Guardiola back into the fold, likely to appease Messi. However, cold water has since been thrown on that rumor by none other than Guardiola himself.

If a Messi-Guardiola reunion is to happen, it’ll have to be at the Etihad.

While Barcelona finding a way to retain Messi is certainly well within the realm of possibility, it’s looking less and less likely by the day.

You can follow Kevin on Twitter @KJboxing.

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Photo credit: Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City escaped its season opener at D.C. United with a point from a scoreless draw. Truth be told, SKC might’ve been the better side Saturday, dominating possession and out-shooting the hosts 15 to nine. But the strong performance by the visitors certainly wasn’t lacking in the heroics department, either.

During an insane second-half sequence off a D.C. corner, multiple SKC teammates worked together at the goal line to preserve the clean sheet in jaw-dropping fashion.

Lloyd Sam started the play by serving in the ball to the near post, where two SKC players got tangled up in an effort to make a clearance. It resulted in an accidental slip header by SKC midfielder Roger Espinoza that seemed destined to be an own goal.

Sure enough, there was SKC forward Jimmy Medranda — staying true to his far-post responsibilities — to avert danger at the line with his head. Well, temporarily; the highlights were just getting started.

The ball trickled over to D.C. United defender Nick DeLeon, who lobbed a volley on frame only to be denied by Sporting KC striker Dom Dwyer’s head at the other post. No wonder coaches teach players at a young age not to leave the posts until the ball is completely cleared.

After a short clearance, SKC quickly stepped its defense up to catch the remaining attackers offside, but sly midfielder Jared Jeffrey lingered level with the back line. As a floated pass dropped in behind the defense, Jeffrey found himself one-v-one with SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia.

Not to be outdone by Medranda and Dwyer, Melia fully extended to make a spectacular save to his left on Jeffrey’s header. The parry out of bounds finally put the visitors out of harm’s way. Here it is courtesy of Fox Sports Kansas City and SKC’s Twitter feed:

THIS SEQUENCE WAS BONKERS! #DCvSKC https://t.co/WvSXIg7SCN

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) March 5, 2017

As if the three consecutive saves didn’t make the clean sheet impressive enough, Melia also made a penalty save on Marcelo Sarvas’ 17th-minute spot kick followed by an immediate save on Patrick Mullins’ rebound attempt.

“Unfortunately I gave the PK away so it was my responsibility to save it,” Melia told SportingKC.com’s Jillian Carroll. “But I think overall the game was a really positive thing.”

Nothing short of a monsoon could’ve moved the ball into the back of the Sporting Kansas City net Saturday.

You can follow Kevin on Twitter @KJboxing.

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