The Copa America final has come and gone, and amazingly the big news to come out of the game has nothing to do with the team that lifted the trophy at the end of the night. Lionel Messi shocked the world first by missing his penalty kick in a shootout as Argentina lost to Chile, then again by claiming that he would retire from his national team after his fourth loss in a major tournament final.
Here to break it all down the day after are SI senior writer Grant Wahl and SI.com's Brian Straus, both of whom were in the stadium as word spread of Messi's announcement. Together with host Avi Creditor, the guys talk about what impact Messi's departure will have on the Argentina national team, and whether Chile's achievement is overshadowed by the headline news.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Brian break down the last day of group-stage finales, including whether fair-play points should be used as a tiebreaker after the unprecedented use of them to send Senegal home and Japan to the Round of 16. Then Grant has a deeply candid interview with Clarence Seedorf, the only man ever to win the UEFA Champions League with three different teams and now a coach who's working for Fox Sports and other outlets at the World Cup.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between Matt Miazga, Christian Pulisic, and Tim Howard, there have been plenty of intriguing stories around the world of soccer this week, and those transactions provide the backbone of discussion between SI Senior Writer Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl), SI.com's Brian Straus (twitter.com/brianstraus), and host Avi Creditor (twitter.com/avicreditor) in the latest Planet Fútbol Podcast.
As MLS preseason gets underway, Wahl also visits with the LA Galaxy's two big acquisitions from last season: Mexico's Giovani Dos Santos, and England's Steven Gerrard. In separate interviews, the two discuss their favorite goals, teammates, and opponents in their careers, as well as their first impressions of MLS.
Finally, the crew plays The Mario Gomez Game. It's a new feature on the show. It features 30-second answers...and Mario Gomez. Just listen. It'll be fun.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant sits down with Taylor Twellman to discuss Jurgen Klinsmann's firing, the current state of US Soccer, and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LAFC coach Bob Bradley discusses his team's fast start, this week's LA derby, his thoughts on Zlatan Ibrahimovic arriving in LA, what needs to happen in U.S. Soccer and his memories of working with an emerging Egyptian talent named Mohamed Salah.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The USA's improbable 1995 Copa America run to the semifinals featured a number of incredible stories, both on and off the field. Some 20 years later, former U.S. stars Alexi Lalas and Eric Wynalda recall it all, from the player strike that nearly derailed the team to Diego Maradona weeping in the U.S. locker room.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Brian talk about Jonathan González choosing Mexico over the United States, Eric Lichaj’s blinder to dethrone Arsenal in the FA Cup, the new U.S. January camp roster and what it was like for Brian to attend a Baltimore Blast indoor game over the weekend. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. men's soccer teams endured a rough week, with the senior squad falling to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup and U-23s failing to qualify automatically for the Olympics.
The debacles provide plenty of fodder for the new Planet Fútbol Podcast, in which SI's Avi Creditor (twitter.com/acreditor), Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl) and Liviu Bird (twitter.com/liviubird) wrap up the performances and provide some perspective for a frustrating October international fixture window for American soccer.
It's not all doom and gloom, though. North of the border, Toronto FC has secured its first playoff berth, and we pay tribute to the Reds (most notably the spectacular Sebastian Giovinco) and their drought coming to an end.
We close with some EPL manager talk, with "The Special One," Jose Mourinho, under constant fire, while "The Normal One," Jurgen Klopp, gets set for his first match on the Liverpool sidelines.
==
--
ThePlanet Futbol Podcast is brought you by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at http://seatgeek.com. Enter code MEDIA in the app to for a $20 rebate off your first purchase. We are also sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code MEDIA at http://FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The FIFA election will give the world's game a new administrative leader and the draw was finally made for the historic Copa América Centenario, and these two major events provide the basis for discussion on the new episode of the Planet Fútbol Podcast.
From Brazil, SI.com's James Young joins SI senior writer Grant Wahl (from Zurich), Brian Straus (from Washington, D.C.), and host Avi Creditor (from New York City), for perspective from three continents on what the next FIFA president needs to fix first, and who could come out on top of the special Copa America tournament.
--
The Planet Futbol Podcast is brought to you by FreshBooks. For freelancers and small business owners, Freshbooks takes the pain out of accounting. Have a question about the service? A real-live human will answer every call in about three rings. Get your 30-day free trial by going to FreshBooks.com/planet and entering the promo code PLANET.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl sits down with new USMNT coach Bruce Arena, who recently replaced Jurgen Klinsmann for his second run leading the team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The inimitable Ray Hudson of BeIN Sports and SiriusXM joins Grant for a fun conversation on how he developed his love for words, his unique broadcasting style, his appreciation for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, his favorite stories from the 1970s NASL his love of South American soccer players and fellow Floridian Dick Vitale, and the influence of his father, Wilfred, who passed away last year at 98.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SI's Brian Straus joins Grant for a fun conversation on the latest in soccer, including the U.S.-led World Cup 2026 bid, FIFA not changing its stripes, Chris Wondolowski, the revival of Minnesota United, what they would do with U.S. Soccer's $100 million-plus nest egg and Brian's tale of buying a counterfeit ticket at the 1998 UEFA Champions League final.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martino joins Grant to talk about his U.S. Soccer presidential candidacy and answers questions about his platform, his view of Sunil Gulati's record as president and why he thinks he's qualified to run such a big organization.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merritt Paulson, the owner of the Portland Timbers and Thorns, joins Grant for a candid discussion—is there any other type with Paulson?—about why he wanted to become a soccer owner; the influence of his father, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson; whether he considers himself a soccer expert, his controversial Twitter personal—we recorded this just before his Twitter outburst during Orlando-Portland—and his contention that there aren't any MLS owners who would be open to promotion and relegation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Women's World Cup is down to 16 teams, and the USA is one of them after winning its group. Can the USA win it all given its draw and group-stage production? Who might stand in the way? Has the expanded tournament been a good idea? As for Clint Dempsey's U.S. Open Cup antics, what do we make of the U.S. captain ripping up a referee's notebook, and how might his actions impact him, the USMNT and Sounders? SI's Grant Wahl, Brian Straus and Avi Creditor cover it all in the latest Planet Fútbol Podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Brian break down Day 6 of World Cup 2018, including Russia's 3-1 win over Egypt that gives the hosts 6 points and almost certainly a berth in the Round of 16; Senegal's 2-1 victory over Poland and Japan's 2-1 win against Colombia, the first time an Asian team has beaten a South American team at a men's World Cup. Then Grant is joined by U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro, who gives the inside skinny on how the World Cup '26 bid was won and explains what's next on his plate with the federation. (Hint: Approving the hire of a USMNT coach.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Avi Creditor (twitter.com/avicreditor), SI Senior Writer Grant Wahl (twitter.com/grantwahl), and SI.com's Brian Straus (twitter.com/brianstraus) welcome the first Planet Futbol guest to have won a men's World Cup this week. Bayern Munich and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso talks to Wahl about his career, the managers he's worked under, and whether Bayern will dominate the Bundesliga once again this season.
The guys also recap Robert Lewandowski's insane nine-minute goal spree against Wolfsburg, and riff on some other eye-raising developments in the world of soccer.
--
The Planet Futbol Podcast is sponsored by FanDuel. Enter promo code PLANET at FanDuel.com for up to $200 in bonus cash. We are also sponsored by the SeatGeek app, available in app stores and at seatgeek.com. Enter code PLANET to for a $20 rebate off your first ticket purchase.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel hail Christian Pulisic's breakthrough hat trick for Chelsea and Sergiño Dest's decision to play for the USMNT and break down Liverpool's comeback win against Spurs, as well as the misery at Southampton (9-0 home losers to Leicester) and Arsenal (where the home fans booed captain Granit Xhaka). On the MLS front, they discuss two mouthwatering semifinals in LAFC-Seattle and Atlanta-Toronto, and Grant shares from his experience covering the NWSL final in North Carolina, where the host Courage beat Chicago 4-0.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel break down the stunning Champions League exit of defending champ Liverpool at the hands of Atlético Madrid along with the other UCL results. Then Grant interviews his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious-disease expert, about the rapidly expanding coronavirus situation and the sports world—including what should be done with Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a packed podcast with two terrific interviews, U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard sits down with Grant in Panama to talk about the U.S. national team and his own career. Legendary defender Paolo Maldini also joins the show and gives his thoughts on defending in today's game, as well as the ups and downs of AC Milan.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an interview that touches all aspects of his long career, LAFC coach Bob Bradley discusses leadership in a time of crisis, what he learned from coaching Egypt during a national emergency, how he's interacting with his LAFC players and coaching staff right now, what he communicated with Charlie Davies after rewatching the 2009 USA-Costa Rica game this week, what he looks for when he's watching games on TV and what he'd like to see happen at U.S. Soccer. Then Bradley takes the Rapid-Fire Quiz, naming his most memorable victory and defeat of his career, the three best players he's ever coached, the best team he's ever coached against, the player in world football he gets the most pleasure from watching, and the figure he most admires in the global game.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant gets the latest on the coronavirus from his wife Dr. Celine Gounder, a CNN medical analyst and co-host of the EPIDEMIC podcast. Then he interviews Carli Lloyd, the two-time world player of the year, in a wide-ranging interview that gets into what she's doing during the virus slowdown, how the Olympics postponement has altered her playing plans, her thoughts on NFL place-kicking and a Rapid-Fire Quiz on her greatest goals, best player she's ever played against, best teammate and coach she's had, toughest goalkeeper she's ever faced and much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Landon Donovan and Grant were talking on the phone earlier this week, and Donovan asked if it might be possible for him to interview Grant's wife—Dr. Celine Gounder, a CNN medical analyst and co-host of the podcast EPIDEMIC—about the coronavirus. So that's what this podcast is: A half-hour of good questions from a concerned member of the public who happens to be the greatest men's player in U.S. soccer history.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant speaks to his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, a CNN medical analyst and co-host of the podcast EPIDEMIC, about the latest coronavirus news and listener questions. Then he interviews American Lauren Barnes about playing for Melbourne City in the Australian women's league final on March 21, one of the last pro sports events anywhere on the planet during the virus. Barnes describes what it was like winning that final in an empty stadium and details her harrowing trip back from Australia to Los Angeles on a full Qantas flight, one of the last ones that wasn't canceled. Barnes adds her thoughts on her NWSL team, OL Reign, what kind of changes are in store under new owners from Lyon and what's up next for the NWSL as it hunkers down like the rest of us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant has a short interview on the coronavirus latest with his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, a CNN medical analyst and co-host of the EPIDEMIC podcast. Then he speaks to Garth Lagerwey, the president of soccer for the reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders. Lagerwey details how challenging the past few weeks have been at his job in Seattle, one of the virus's U.S. hotspots. Then Grant and Garth have some fun talking about wild MLS stories from his playing days during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant interviews his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious-disease specialist, CNN medical analyst and co-host of the EPIDEMIC podcast, on the latest coronavirus news. Then he talks to Weston McKennie of the USMNT and Schalke about his project with Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams to donate to Feeding America; what he's been doing during the coronavirus shutdown; his season with Schalke to date; what he has learned about Schalke coach David Wagner; and what he's hoping for from the USMNT once the soccer world gets going again.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant spends seven good minutes getting the latest on general and sports-related coronavirus info with his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, a medical analyst for CNN and co-host of the podcast Epidemic. Then he has a wide-ranging interview with Jesse Marsch, the American coach of Red Bull Salzburg. They talk about leading a team during coronavirus, the impact of the January sales of Erling Haaland to Dortmund and Takumi Minamino to Liverpool and Marsch's revulsion to U.S. Soccer's legal strategy arguing that USWNT players inherently have less skill, ability and responsibility than USMNT players.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel are on lockdown in New York City due to the coronavirus, but they connect here to talk about the impact of the soccer (and sports) world being shut down. They also discuss the momentous week for the U.S. Soccer Federation, which saw president Carlos Cordeiro resign due to the federation's disastrous legal strategy against the USWNT in its gender-discrimination case. What lies ahead for new president Cindy Parlow Cone? How soon will the legal case be settled? And how long could it be before we see soccer being played again? Luis Miguel gives an update on Liga MX, one of the last leagues in the world to take action.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel break down the stunning Champions League exit of defending champ Liverpool at the hands of Atlético Madrid along with the other UCL results. Then Grant interviews his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious-disease expert, about the rapidly expanding coronavirus situation and the sports world—including what should be done with Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel have a jam-packed podcast discussing the global impact of coronavirus on soccer; the impact of Bruno Fernandes on Manchester United's revival; Tottenham's malaise under Mourinho; Bayern Munich and Dortmund starting to separate from the rest in Germany; Juventus's big win over Inter in an eerily empty stadium; Real Madrid's worst game of the season to lose at Betis; a look ahead to Champions League elimination games (PSG-Dortmund! Liverpool-Atlético Madrid!); terrific MLS starts by Minnesota, Kansas City and Colorado; the so-far sputtering LA Galaxy and Chicharito; media shutdowns by Chicharito and Carlos Vela; how media get access to players around games; Grant's controversial media tweet; the terrific form of Christen Press and Julie Ertz; the USWNT's victories over Spain and England; and the poor timing of U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro's latest letter in the USWNT's gender-discrimination case.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant has a wide-ranging conversation with Keith Costigan, who broadcasts games for Fox Sports and the Seattle Sounders. Costigan discusses the Bundesliga title race, why he got a UEFA A coaching license, his lifelong Liverpool fandom, why he switched from game analysis to play-by-play, his month with Grant in Poland covering Euro 2012, how he handles a crazy workload and how some Seattle fans can’t forget that he once played for their rival Portland Timbers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planet Fútbol's Luis Miguel Echegaray welcomes host, commentator Kevin Egan to break down the opening weekend of MLS, Jurgen Klopp in shock as Watford routs Liverpool and an imperfect Clasico with Real Madrid beating Barcelona. Also, Luis Miguel and Kevin - being Aston Villa fans - discuss the League Cup final loss against Man City, EPL relegation battle, Champions League favorites, a quick lookahead to the Euros and if Ireland can qualify and much, much more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SPECIAL SPANISH LANGUAGE BONUS EP: Grant tiene entrevistas exclusivos en español con tres de las estrellas más grandes de MLS: Carlos Vela de LAFC, actual jugador más valioso de la liga; Josef Martínez de Atlanta United, jugador más valioso de 2018; y Nicolás Lodeiro, actual campeón de la liga con Seattle Sounders. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel break down the four UEFA Champions League games, including Man City's huge 2-1 win at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich's 3-0 victory at Chelsea (henceforth known as The Alphonso Davies Game). Then Grant has an interview with Carolyn Kindle Betz, who leads the ownership group of the St. Louis MLS expansion team set to start in 2022. They talk about why she wanted to own an MLS team, her team's plans for one of America's greatest soccer cities and the impact of St. Louis being the league's first club to be majority owned by women.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel marvel at Lionel Messi’s four-goal performance as Barcelona goes back atop La Liga ahead of Real Madrid (a 1-0 loser at Levante). They also discuss the VAR failure in Chelsea’s 2-1 win vs Spurs; José Mourinho’s silly bellyaching about needing players; the leaders holding serve in Germany and Italy; a mouthwatering slate of this week’s UEFA Champions League games led by Manchester City-Real Madrid; the start of MLS’s 25th season this week; MLS teams’ encouraging situation in CONCACAF Champions League; Grant’s wild story on Jermaine Jones; Luis Miguel’s interview with Orlando’s Pedro Gallese; and their issues with U.S. Soccer lawyers asking USWNT players like Carli Lloyd how they’d do in games against men.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel break down this week’s UEFA Champions League games, and Grant interviews Tariq Panja of the New York Times about UEFA’s stunning Man City ban, what comes next and what it could mean for the landscape of the European game.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel thank the soccer gods for the return of UEFA Champions League with some fun matchups this week, including PSG-Dortmund, Atlético Madrid-Liverpool and Spurs-Leipzig; break down UEFA's stunning two-year Champions League ban for Manchester City; hail Lazio's 2-1 win vs. Inter to shake up the top of Serie A; discuss more incidents of racism in Portugal, Germany and the U.S.; look ahead to this week's CONCACAF Champions League games involving five MLS teams, including León-LAFC; and ask the question: Do we agree with Inter Miami's Rodolfo Pizarro that MLS is a better gateway to Europe than Liga MX?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant has a wide-ranging conversation with Tyler Adams, the USMNT and RB Leipzig midfielder who celebrates his 21st birthday this week while he's in the middle of a Bundesliga title race, UEFA Champions League and (soon) a return to the national team. Adams talks in depth about his instructions from Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann, his learning curve in the Bundesliga, his recovery from a long injury layoff, his conversations with U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter and his hopes of playing in the Olympics this summer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant and Luis Miguel break down the world football weekend, including Inter's remarkable comeback in a 4-2 win over AC Milan to go top in Italy; Leipzig's useful point at Bayern Munich; Real Madrid and Barcelona holding serve in La Liga; Messi's Insta outburst; Dortmund's wild swings; Lazio staying close; the USWNT punching its Olympics ticket; whether Rose Lavelle can become the world's best player; Christen Press's big tournament; Jay Berhalter's departure from U.S. Soccer; the new MLS collective bargaining agreement and CBS's newfound interest in soccer (NWSL and UEFA Champions League).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant has a fun discussion with ESPN's Fernando Palomo, who's also well-known for his role on the EA Sports FIFA video game. They talk about suffering Champions League withdrawal and the knockout matchups ahead, including Real Madrid-Manchester City, Dortmund-PSG and Atlético Madrid-Liverpool. They also get into Palomo's thoughts on Chicharito Hernández coming to MLS, how much distance the Mexican national team has right now over the USMNT and why his native El Salvador has a good shot to get back in the CONCACAF Hexagonal this time around.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices