Kickback Committee

Susannah welcomes to the Committee, Tampa Bay Rowdies Head Coach Dominic Casciato to talk about his team as they sit undefeated in the USL Championship and how he got to this position, managing and coaching across the world from his home town of London, though New Jersey, Denmark, Omaha and now Tampa Bay.00:13 - Intro02:11 - Welcome Dom! Opening with Dom celebrating Tottenham avoiding relegation04:21 - Embracing Tampa Bay’s undefeated streak07:47 -Tracing Dom’s past through New Jersey, Denmark, Spain, El Paso, Omaha and now Tampa Bay at all levels of U.S. Soccer including College, NASL, NISA, USL213:44 - Dom’s successful tenure at Union Omaha as a head coach following Omaha’s first coach, Jay Mims17:13 - When Dom got the call from the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the difficulty of joining a team mid-season20:40 - The process in building a soccer roster23:14 - The most fulfilling feeling as a Head Coach25:57 - Dom’s thoughts on Pro/Rel coming to USL Premier29:28 - How his family handles the soccer head coach life and his game day coaching fits (Hi Morgan!)34:30 - Dom’s excitement level for the 2026 World Cup37:30 - Who’s going to win and is it coming home??39:15 - Dom’s ultimate goal professionallyListen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter and socials at: kickbacksoccer.comSee our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

Susannah welcomes Channel 6 co-founder and Shutdown Fullcast co-host Spencer Hall to today’s episode of Open Mic! 03:04 - Sooz welcomes to Spencer to the show. It’s the first time they’ve spoken in over a decade, going back to their SB Nation days and they reminisce for the occasion. 05:29 - The origin and rise of the Every Day Should Be Saturday college football blog or more commonly known as EDSBS and how that kicked off Spencer’s career 08:17 - Sooz mentions her favorite SB Nation-era project Spencer took part in and leads into some words about participatory journalism 12:27 - Spencer’s relationship with Soccer 15:26 - Excitement level for the 2026 World Cup and how he consumes the matches 20:39 - Relationship (well, lack there of) with the USMNT23:22 - Why isn’t the U.S. a soccer powerhouse? The Answer Will Surprise You!25:25 - Memories of 1994, the Colombian National Team and his love for other national teams such as Nigeria and Japan (but not Italy) 33:00 - Atlanta as a Soccer City, its relationship with other sports and with Atlanta United39:43 - Atlanta’s preparedness (it’s not) for the World Cup 44:52 - Comprehending how visitors will handle the commutes (and why the British NEED to bring sunscreen) 46:39 - Will this World Cup give soccer a boost in the U.S.? 49:41 - Lightning Question Round 50:59 - Close Spencer Hall: @edsbs.bsky.socialChannel 6: https://channel-6.ghost.io/Shutdown Fullcast: @shutdownfullcast.bsky.socialListen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter and socials at: kickbacksoccer.comSee our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

Susannah is joined by NWSL commentator, Soccerwise contributor and Committee member Jordan Angeli for this week’s gathering for the Committee!00:38 - Intro and recapping Jordan and Sooz hanging out at Baller League in Miami, Florida.04:41 - GOOD WORLD CUP NEWS: We have been spared from whatever that was that Jelly Roll made thanks to Shakira coming through with a new World Cup anthem. Sooz reads some lyrics from the Jelly Roll song to our confusion. The duo also find out in real-time that an official World Cup tie-in album was made in 2022 (???) and we’re as shocked as you.14:39 - Adidas released its World Cup short-movie starring Timothée Chalamet, Trinity Rodman, Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham and the duo rave over its production quality and details.20:43 - Admiring the scenes from Venezia FC as they clinched promotion back to Serie A and watching fans celebrating on boats on the Venice river. Sooz also mentions her backstory with Gianluca Busio.24:03 - Sooz and Jordan celebrate Marie-Louise Eta becoming the first woman to win a men’s Bundesliga match as team manager after Union Berlin defeated Mainz, 3-1.27:49 - Checking in with Jordan, how the Denver Summit season is going, her surprises from the NWSL season so far and her impromptu role as a Weather Reporter for ION TV.43:27 - UEFA Women’s Champions League Final Preview. Lindsey Heaps’ final game for Lyon before her move to Denver, Lily Yohannes having a big spotlight in her career right before the 2027 World Cup and is this the last ride for the current Barcelona Femenil squad as we know it?51:53 - Jordan takes her turn in a World Cup Blind Ranking Game. This time, it’s ranking a selection of 2026 World Cup team crests from 1 to 13. The three host nations plus a mystery selection. A link to the 2026 World Cup team crests is linked below to follow along with the crew.01:06:31 - Sooz shows off her new 2026 Ivory Coast kit.01:10:01 - Reality TV Recap and Close - Jordan has started The Madison and was unprepared for how sad it gets. A lot of soccer documentaries are incoming this month on subjects such as Ronaldinho, James Rodriguez, the USMNT and Jamie Vardy. Christo Fernandez signs a contract with El Pasa Locomotive right in time for the World Cup and new season of Ted Lasso.2026 World Cup Team Crests: https://www.soccer.com/fifa-world-cupListen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter and socials at: kickbacksoccer.comSee our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

Susannah is joined by co-founder of the Stadio Football podcast Ryan Hunn for this week’s edition of Committee Open Mic! 01:18 - Intro03:18 - Finding out Susannah’s mother in-law, Leslie, is a big Stadio fan and introduced Sooz to the words of Ryan and Musa 06:27 - Sooz asks how Ryan and Musa met and formed Stadio together12:58 - How did Ryan and Musa figure out what worked for this show? 17:11 - Ryan’s reaction the first time he heard Musa laugh18:17 - Favorite episodes that he’s recorded over the years 24:51 - The connection Stadio has forged with Vermont Green FC 31:51 - Sooz and Ryan talk about how One Knox was brought to Stadio’s attention (Hi again Leslie!) 34:23 - Ryan compares USL’s various leagues to MLS and Europe and praises the community aspects at the lower leagues 39:14 - Ryan talks about attending his first USL game in-person at Vermont Green vs. Portland Hearts of Pine 42:34 - Sooz’s mother-in-law Leslie praises Ryan and asks about the effect of pro/rel in the USL and what can be learned from the issues older leagues have faced, including bridging better gaps 56:47 - Ryan’s complex feelings on the incoming World Cup 01:06:10 - Storylines Ryan is excited to follow01:07:45 - Impressions of the USMNT01:13:33 - Ryan’s thoughts on the England MNT 01:16:16 - How is Ryan consuming this World Cup?01:18:09 - Quick Fire Question Round 01:23:32 - CloseStadio Football: linktr.ee/stadiofootballListen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.comSee our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

Susannah is joined by Chicago Stars midfielder Brianna Pinto for today’s Committee gathering!03:45 - The news of Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird’s divorce has shocked the wider sports world. Sooz in particular has a hard time grappling with the news.07:48 - NWSL announces Columbus, OH as the next NWSL expansion city.10:12 - The Columbus news leads to a bigger discussion about the NWSL possibly switching the current league calendar to a Fall-Spring season to align with Europe. Brianna has MANY THOUGHTS about this possibility. Points of contention include team infrastructure and player health & safety.18:07 - Check-in with Brianna and her Chicago Stars season so far. Brianna talks patience as they build the team up and figure out their identity. Brianna also mentions what team has surprised her so far in the NWSL season.26:31 - The duo talk the recent USWNT vs. Japan matches. Who had a great camp, who raised their stock, who struggled and what can be taken from this camp as we inch closer to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.37:22 - We continue the ranking game fun this week by having Brianna blind rank 12 iconic men’s World Cup kits spanning decades from Soccer.com’s Top 10 Kits in World Cup History list. (Link at the bottom of this description to follow along for podcast listeners, podcasting is a visual medium)01:02:16 - Brianna talks her excitement for the 2026 World Cup and discusses her role in bringing this Cup to the US when she spoke at the 68th FIFA Congress in 2018 with Alfonso Davies and Diego Lainez while she was playing with a USWNT U-20 Team (and overcoming some public speaking fears she had!)01:08:38 - Reality TV Recap and Close. Brianna just started Netflix’s “Beef” series. Sooz is watching Top Chef: Carolinas which spurs a discussion about Carolina BBQ.Soccer.com’s Top 10 Kits in FIFA Men’s World Cup History: https://www.soccer.com/guide/top-10-world-cup-kitsListen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.comSee our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

Today’s Committee gathering is with Susannah Fuller and Toronto FC and USMNT defender, Walker Zimmerman! 00:42 - Walker gives us some positive life updates with his third child on the way, his thoughts on Toronto FC’s recent 1-1 draw vs. FC Cincinnati and his game winner vs. the Columbus Crew.07:08 - Marie-Louise Eta is appointed interim manager of Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, becoming the first woman to take charge of a top flight european men’s club. The crew discuss the impact of this appointment. 15:20 - The MLS Coaching Carousel gets rolling ahead with the firing of Marco Donadel by CF Montreal in MLS. Walker gives some insight on being in a locker room when a coach gets let go.24:18 - Sooz chats with One Knox SC owner Drew McKenna on the eve of One Knox’s first match in club history against an MLS opponent, D.C. United, in the U.S. Open Cup. Drew talks about their chaotic victory over Asheville City SC, the landmark trip to Washington, D.C. and their hopes for a Cupset victory.42:00 - Walker talks his experience playing in the U.S. Open Cup from the MLS player POV and gives advice to the One Knox players coming in as the underdog.44:54 - The second legs of the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals are on deck this week. Sooz and Walker try to predict how all matchups are going to end purely from the vibes across all teams. Sooz vents a bit more about the state of Liverpool in 2026.53:08 - HAIRSTYLES! It’s 58 days until the 2026 World Cup which means we ask Walker to blind rank 10 famous hairstyles from prior men’s World Cups. This list includes Carlos Valderrama and Rodrigo Palacio for Very Different Reasons. We also walk down memory lane and review Walker’s past haircuts in his own career.01:09:54 - The Reality TV Round Up which becomes The Survivor Recap with Walker Zimmerman. The failure of The Billie Eilish Boomerang idol, Blood Moon Triple Elimination, the double edged sword of contestants giving feedback on social media after a show airing and their shared hate of contestants Coach and Emily. 01:23:08 - CloseListen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.comSee our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

A dramatic finish to the final international window before the World Cup, including U.S. disappointment, PKs deciding final qualifiers, Italy despondence, and Bosnia glory from checks notes…a Wisconsin native? Gass is joined by Chicago Stars midfielder Brianna Pinto and MLS Reporter Michele Giannone to dive into the formation, lineup choices and performance by USMNT against Portugal and how fans should feel heading into the World Cup. Then they discuss the crazy endings for the last few qualifying games including Italy failing to qualify for their third straight World Cup, best things from the last week, and how to pick a secondary team to root on this summer.Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com3:13 Breaking Down the USMNT Performance15:36 What Does Success Look Like for the U.S. this World Cup?30:06 Italy Fails to Qualify Again for the World Cup41:38 Best Things We've Seen this Week52:47 Run Down of the Qualifiers57:51 Picking Your 2nd World Cup Team01:10:05 - Check-In with Brianna and Close

Susannah is joined by Toronto FC and USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman for his debut as a member of Kickback Committee! The two look back on when they first met in 2018 before diving into recent events in the soccer world over the past week. Walker talks about his move to Toronto FC, the impact on his family, his community in Nashville and adjusting to life in a colder-climate city. Sooz and Walker react to your voicemails! With the World Cup incoming, we help decide what factors should be considered for picking a 2nd team to root for. The Reality TV recap returns with Walker’s love and fandom of Survivor and The Traitors becoming a perfect fit for Kickback Committee.Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com01:51 - when Sooz met Walker 06:24 - News in the Soccer World 19:47 - Walker’s love-hate relationship with the US Open Cup25:34 - Catching up with Walker Zimmerman 35:24 - Voicemails 49:47 - Favorite World Cup Memory and Helping Pick a 2nd World Cup Team58:41 - Reality TV Recap: Survivor and The Traitors 01:05:55 - Closer

With NWSL’s kickoff on the horizon, Susannah is joined this week by Jordan Angeli, who is ready to party with Denver Summit’s inaugural game incoming. The pair talk recent events in the soccer world, including the infamous fight between Cruzeiro and Atlético Miniero that resulted in TWENTY-THREE red cards handed out. This is where we learn Jordan received two red cards in her career. The USWNT wins another SheBelieves Cup and the pair discuss who increased their stock with Emma Hayes as we get closer to 2027. NWSL kicks off this weekend and the pair assess which teams look primed for a title run, who may surprise and who may painfully disappoint. The debut of Denver Summit and Boston Legacy this year spurs a discussion on everyone’s favorite inaugural games across soccer they’ve experienced. Jordan talks about the weight and impact of Denver Summit’s debut on her life. We round out the show with our Reality TV recap, talking the latest on The Traitors and Love Is Blind. Shoutout to the Columbus Crew!Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.com00:37 - Intro04:33 - Recent Events in Soccer12:47 - USWNT wins SheBelieves Cup and The 99ers Film26:40 - NWSL Kickoff Preview and Denver Summit Debut40:35 - Mascots!44:11 - Favorite Debuts 57:11 - Reality TV Round Up01:05:19 - Close

Susannah is joined this week by newly minted Kickback Soccer Media member and TacticsFreeZone newsletter writer, Matt Doyle for this week’s show. With MLS’s 2026 opening weekend finally here, the duo discuss notable results from the past weekend including LAFC’s decisive victory over Inter Miami and RBNY playing the kids to defeat Orlando City. Josh Sargeant’s impending transfer to Toronto FC is confirmed during recording (Thanks, Tommy Scoops!). A new segment is debuted, Sip or Swipe, where the crew run down which soccer figures they would sit to have a couple of drinks with (and which ones they would not). Stay for Doyle’s A+ impression of Bruce Arena. Our newly introduced voicemail line attracted a number of callers over the weekend with various forms of joy, despair and reflection among fans after Match Day 1. Sooz and Doyle close out the show chatting about the end of the 2026 Winter Olympics including the exhibition gala and the US men’s hockey victory over Canada in the gold medal game.Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: kickbacksoccer.comSubscribe to TacticsFreeZone: tacticsfreezone.ghost.io01:17 - Doyle joins the Committee and talks about his first weekend as an Independent writer09:21 - Biggest Storylines from MLS Opening Weekend24:53 - Sip or Swipe?39:24 - We listen to your Voicemails55:08 - Olympics Recap58:53 - Close

Susannah is joined this week by Committee member and Chicago Stars midfielder Brianna Pinto, speaking from Stars preseason in Spain. Brianna opens up about her move to Chicago, what motivated her to join the club and gives insight on the day-to-day as a pro in NWSL Preseason training. Sooz being a Chicago local, she and Brianna talk recommendations about what to do in the city (Brianna has heard from Literally Everyone). The duo chat soccer jerseys including their best and worst of the recently revealed 2026 MLS kit lineup. The show closes with their favorite current soccer stories including some preseason tactics in the Coachella Valley Invitational and a gigantic teddy bear.Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter at: https://kickbacksoccer.com/01:47 - Brianna goes into NWSL Preseason from her POV 17:59 - Sooz gives Brianna recommendations on what to see and do in Chicago 30:27 - Touchline Tailor: Brianna’s takes on Soccer Kits, Best and Worst 2026 MLS Kits 47:34 - Favorite Things We’re Following in Soccer56:52 - Closer

Susannah is joined by David Gass for today’s gathering of the Kickback Committee. Gass recaps his first successful attempt at a half-marathon. The crew chat Major Non-Soccer events from the past weekend including the Super Bowl (which is 99% about the Bad Bunny halftime show). The Winter Olympics are underway which means looking at it through a soccer lens. Torch bearers, venues, athletes, there’s still plenty of Soccer DNA across the games. CANKS ABROAD makes its return as we chat about various US and Canadian players abroad, including Weston McKennie and Jacen Russell-Rowe. The show caps off with an EMERGENCY KIT REVIEW BY SOOZIE SCOOPS as MLS opted to release their 2026 jerseys while we were recording.Listen to our Shows, Subscribe our Newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/01:46 - Gass runs a half marathon05:32 - Benito Bowl15:09 - Winter Olympics34:22 - Canks Abroad48:47 - MLS KIT DROP EMERGENCY53:00 - Closer