The Athletic FC Podcast

England’s World Cup dream is officially over. Live from New York City, Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton and Reuben Pinder to break down a Messi-inspired semi-final exit at the hands of Argentina.Did Thomas Tuchel’s tactics cost England a place in the World Cup final? They also look at what lies ahead for the manager and this squad.From Atlanta, Jack Pitt-Brooke and David Ornstein share their reflections on England while Felipe Cardenas joins to explain how Argentina got the job done.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Adam Crafton and Reuben PinderExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale, Liam Warburton and Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are live from New York City! Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Football Correspondent David Ornstein and Reuben Pinder to break down a massive World Cup semi-final clash between powerhouse nations France and Spain.We also get stuck into the latest transfer market movements, including Manchester City’s concrete interest in Lille and Morocco’s breakout midfield sensation, Ayyoub Bouaddi.Plus plus we'll have our ‘Discussion of the Day' asking which World Cup star should your club sign and our daily quiz.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: David Ornstein, Reuben PinderFeaturing: Henry BushnellExec Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England are through to just their fourth-ever World Cup semi-final, after needing extra time to get past Norway in the last eight, thanks to another double from Jude Bellingham.Ian Irving is joined by Carl Anka and Liam Twomey to look back on a dramatic evening of action, with Jack Pitt-Brooke reflecting the mood in Miami as England's mentality once again came to the fore.As well as Bellingham's brilliance, Thomas Tuchel's substitutions are also examined before looking ahead to the last four showdown with Argentina. Adam Crafton was in Kansas to see Lionel Messi and co once again go to extra time, this time with Switzerland.Plus there's a reflection on France and Spain having also reached the final four as well as our daily 'Do you know' trivia.Host: Ian IrvingWith: Carl Anka and Liam TwomeyExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, The Athletic broke the world exclusive that USA striker Folarin Balogun's ban for the USMNT's round of 16 tie against Belgium had been suspended.Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon, who broke the news, join Ian Irving and Cerys Jones to look back on the controversy, which included the involvement of US President Donald Trump calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the build-up to the USA's game with Belgium.Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard shares his perspective from a players' perspective as to the impact the whole episode will have had on the USA's preparations for the game, while Jerry Brewer, senior columnist for The Athletic gives his view on the damage the controversy will have on soccer in the USA as well as US Soccer.Host: Ian IrvingWith: Cerys Jones, Adam Crafton and Dan SheldonFeaturing: Tim Howard and Jerry BrewerExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The USMNT are out of the World Cup after defeat to Belgium.While the Folarin Balogun situation dominated the build-up, the headlines centre around the USA’s elimination, after falling to a 4-1 defeat in the Round of 16.Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic’s Jay Harris and Mark Critchley in the studio to dissect the match, with Henry Bushnell dropping by for immediate reaction from Seattle.Elsewhere, Reuben Pinder witnessed Spain beating Portugal 1-0 - with Cristiano Ronaldo the story once again.Plus, Paul Taylor brings us the latest on Nottingham Forest’s move for former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.Host: Emma PatonWith: Jay Harris and Mark CritchleyFeaturing: Henry Bushnell, Reuben Pinder and Paul Taylor Executive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Day 24 and our focus is fully on England’s trip to the Azteca to take on Mexico.Adam Leventhal is joined by Cerys Jones and Liam Tharme to recap the World Cup action as Argentina edged past Cape Verde to secure their place in the Round of 16 - James Horncastle drops in from Miami for that one.In terms of England, there’s been plenty of drama in the build-up to this one. Kick-off is still 1AM UK time - despite a day of confusion. Matt Slater brings us all of the details on that situation, while Jack Lang has the lowdown on what Thomas Tuchel’s side will face in the Azteca.And ahead of the Round of 16, we look ahead to Saturday’s matches - France vs Paraguay and Canada vs Morocco - as well as a quick preview of Sunday’s big one - Norway vs Brazil.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Cerys Jones and Liam TharmeFeaturing: James Horncastle, Matt Slater and Jack LangExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England left it late but got the job done, thanks to Harry Kane.Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Carl Anka and Liam Twomey after England's emotional come-from-behind win against DR Congo as our England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke poses the question; is Kane England's greatest player ever?Away from England's win, the USA and Belgium also progressed to face one another in the Round of 16. Henry Bushnell reports from the USMNT's win over Bosnia & Herzegovina including a controversial red card for Folarin Balogun, while Belgium had to come from 2-0 down to see off Senegal.And ahead of the Day 22 action, Matt Slater joins us from Toronto ahead of Portugal taking on Croatia to discuss how the cities he's visited have connected with the tournament as well as what tournament preconceptions he had that he may have changed his opinion on.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Carl Anka and Liam TwomeyFeaturing: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Henry Bushnell and Matt SlaterExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four-time World Cup winners Germany are out. So too are the Netherlands and Japan after a dramatic day at the World Cup.Emma Paton is alongside Mark Critchley and Cerys Jones to look back on the action. Matt Slater shares his view from Boston after seeing Germany dumped out on penalties, losing their first-ever World Cup shootout to Paraguay.David Ornstein joins us to discuss the latest in the transfer market including Chelsea's move for Granit Xhaka as well as their reaction to confirmation Enzo Maresca has succeeded Pep Guardiola as manager of Man City.Plus, there's a look ahead to England's Round of 32 tie with DR Congo, a preview of the Day 20 action as well as our daily 'do you know' trivia.Host: Emma PatonWith: Mark Critchley & Cerys JonesFeaturing: Matt Slater, David Ornstein and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale & Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite a 2-0 win over Panama with Jude Bellingham playing a crucial role, Thomas Tuchel's England still lack conviction.Joining Adam Leventhal to get stuck into England's final group stage performance are Tim Spiers and Art De Roche, with Jack Pitt-Brooke sharing his thoughts from the MetLife Stadium.With the group stage now completed there's also discussion around some of the big talking points as Lionel Messi moves onto six goals at the tournament, nine of the 10 African sides have reached the knockout stage - and Scotland head coach Steve Clarke resigns, with Jordan Campbell providing reaction in Boston.Plus, ahead of the knockouts beginning there's some bracket projections before our Canada correspondent Josh Kloke previews Canada's tie with South Africa.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers and Art De RocheFeaturing: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jordan Campbell and Josh KlokeProducers: Guy Clarke and Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brazil broke Scottish hearts on day 14 at the World Cup, running out 3-0 winners to leave the Scots' hopes of securing qualification hanging by a thread.Adam Leventhal is joined by Cerys Jones and Carl Anka to react to just how strong Brazil are, with James Horncastle highlighting the demeanour of boss Carlo Ancelotti.Canada saw their hopes of staying on home soil in the knockout phases slip through their fingers, while we're also joined by Adam Crafton to discuss some of the key themes of the tournament so far two weeks into the action.Plus there's our daily 'do you know' trivia and Japan's Ayase Ueda features as our Star of Soccer ahead of their final group game against Sweden.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Cerys Jones and Carl AnkaFeaturing: James Horncastle and Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the World Cup ticks over to Day 13, the summer transfer window is still making waves.Emma Paton is joined in-studio by Mark Critchley and Tim Spiers as we discuss the World Cup action as well as getting the latest from David Ornstein on the midfield merry-go-round.With Sandro Tonali, Lucas Bergvall, Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott potentially on the move, the dominos are starting to fall into place. David also brings us his latest one to watch from this week's DealSheet on The Athletic - USMNT’s Folarin Balogun.We also round-up the Lionel Messi show as the Argentine inspired his nation to a 2-0 win over Austria, becoming the World Cup’s top goalscorer of all time in the process. Matt Slater checks in from a rain-delayed 3-0 win for France over Iraq, as Kylian Mbappe also netted twice. Plus, Erling Haaland was at it again with a brace in a 3-2 win over Senegal.There's also our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Croatia’s Martin BaturinaHost: Emma PatonWith: Mark Critchley and Tim SpiersFeaturing: Matt Slater and David OrnsteinExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Day 10 of the World Cup, and the USMNT are through to the knockouts after a 2-0 win over Australia.Ian Irving is joined in-studio by Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme as we discuss another impressive performance from Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Henry Bushnell drops in to give the lowdown from Seattle and asks if the USA can actually go all the way. We catch up with James Horncastle who was in Philadelphia for Brazil’s win over Haiti, and, we analyse Scotland’s chances of progression to the last-32 after defeat to Morocco.There's also our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Ecuador and Chelsea’s Kendry Paez.Host: Ian IrvingGuests: Liam Twomey & Liam TharmeFeaturing: Henry Bushnell, James Horncastle, Jordan CampbellExec Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike StavrouVideographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England's World Cup started with an impressive 4-2 win over Croatia, with Harry Kane scoring twice.Emma Paton is joined by Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme to react to England's performance, especially as they burst into life in the second half, with England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke sharing his thoughts from Dallas.Nick Miller in Houston reports on Cristiano Ronaldo's disappointing tournament opener as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo.We also have our daily 'Do you know' quiz, Lee Kang-In is our latest Star of Soccer and Jacob Whitehead joins us to discuss Elye Wahi being arrested for alleged fixing offences on eve of tournament.Host: Emma PatonWith: Liam Twomey and Liam TharmeFeaturing: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Nick Miller and Jacob WhiteheadExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.